Highlander's Rightful Claim (Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance)

by Kenna Kendrick

  Nairne could not believe the gentle benevolence of his words, it was as though another man was talking, and not the cruel-hearted man she called her father. Una looked amazed at her husband’s change of heart and shot her daughter a confused glance.

  “I … well thank ye father,” Nairne added, giving him a weak smile.

  “I am not an ogre, Nairne, ye are not a prisoner here ye know. I want ye tae be happy, and if walking in the forest makes ye so then who am I tae stand in yer way? All I ask is that ye be careful, I should hate for ye to encounter the Cameron’s, ye promise me now?”

  “Aye, father, I promise ye I shall be careful. It is rare tae meet anyone, and I shall only run tae the pool for my swim and then return, thank ye, father,” and she quickly excused herself from the table lest he changed his mind.

  But Murdoch Mackintosh remained in his benevolent mood, and when her mother came to wish her goodnight later that evening, the two were astonished at his change of heart.

  “I cannot believe that he is letting ye go out so freely, Nairne?”

  “I am making no complaint about the matter, even if he changes his mind next week, he has said yes tae my going out tomorrow, and that makes me ever so happy.”

  “Aye,” her mother answered warily.

  “Ye dinna think I should go?”

  “I think ye should aye, but I am suspicious of just why yer father has allowed it, he is rarely so benevolent and given the rage which ye put him in by sneaking out before it seems remarkable that he should so readily agree tae ye going now.”

  “I won’t question father tae much upon the subject, the important thing is that he has allowed it and that’s that.”

  Her mother left her to rest, promising to see her when she returned from the forest the following morning. Nairne went straight to her bed, pulling aside the drapes at her window so that she would be awakened by the early morning her sun. Her thoughts were turned to Andrew, intrigued to meet with him once again, the mysterious and handsome laddie from the forest. She smiled at the thought, picturing his embarrassment as he stood in just his underclothes by the pool, and as she fell asleep, her thoughts became dreams of what might come.

  The sun awoke Nairne early, and she dressed quickly, putting on a blue tunic and the shawl which Andrew had so diligently returned. The castle was quiet as she made her way downstairs from her chambers and out into the courtyard. She had no need for secrecy and heeding her father’s words about using the main castle gate walked boldly through, the captain saluting her as she did.

  “A fine morning, ma’am,” he said, pulling back the castle gate to let her out, “do ye plan tae swim today or simply walk in the woods.”

  “I shall swim today, I think, good day tae ye, captain,” and smiling to herself left the castle and ran off into the forest.

  “Aye, good day tae ye, lassie,” and the captain of the guard signaled to several of his men to follow her quietly into the trees.

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘Following the Lassie’

  Nairne could not have been happier that morning and ran through the trees with a lightness to her step that made her feel at peace with the world. It was this moment she so cherished, the moment when she left all the cares and worries of the castle behind her, the trees and animals of the forest her companions along the paths.

  It was not long before she was deep amongst the glades and soon came to the pool, looking up at the sun creeping over the top of Cordroon beyond and the impressive mountain of Cornevis with wisps of snow at the top. She wondered if she would ever climb up to its heights and look down upon the glen, it must be a spectacular sight to behold. Her mind turned towards the Cameron’s, up above the trees on the mountainside and could not help but think romantic thoughts about their way of life. It must be far more straightforward than her own, and she wondered about Rhona Cameron and the uncle she had never seen, were they up there somewhere or had they fled as rumor had it, all the way to Edinburgh and to safety?

  Her thoughts were startled by the sound of a cuckoo from across the waters, and a moment later, the figure of Andrew Macleod emerged from the forest. She smiled, and he stood for a moment across the water, raising his hand to shelter his eyes from the sun.

  Splashing across the stream, he came to her, and the two embraced, albeit somewhat awkwardly, the enthusiasm of youth giving way to slight embarrassment.

  “I have …” they both began simultaneously and laughed.

  “I have been greatly looking forward tae seeing ye,” Andrew held out a sprig of heather he had picked from the moorland above.

  She smiled, tucking it into her shawl and admiring the pretty purple fronds.

  “Thank ye, Andrew, I have looked forward tae seeing ye tae, is yer mother well?”

  “Aye, she is, and I have told her of ye, perhaps we can go and visit her if ye would like that? Our croft is not far from here, hidden away in the trees.”

  “I would like that very much, what other sights do ye have tae show me today?”

  “We could walk up onto the cliffs above here, there is a spot where ye can see right across the glen, as far as the Cameron castle.”

  “The Cameron castle? Dinnae ye mean the Mackintosh castle?” she looked at him in surprise.

  “Oh, aye, it is just that we … I mean they call it that, it is still known by its old name, the Cameron castle, even after all these years.”

  “It is rightfully theirs I suppose,” though she had never known the place to ring with the sounds of the Cameron’s

  It had been her home ever since she had been born and in those eighteen years, for she was a little younger than Andrew in age but not in wisdom, she had known only the banner of her father to fly above the battlements of that sad place.

  “Before we climb up though I should like tae swim,” and removing her shawl, Nairne stripped down to her underclothes and leapt into the pool.

  Andrew did the same, and the two were soon frolicking in the water. Andrew showing Nairne just how well he could dive, retrieving smooth stones from the bottom of the pool for her and leaping in from the rocks above.

  “Ye are quite a show-off when yer nerves are gone, aren’t ye?” she called as he leapt into the water for the umpteenth time and emerged holding a beautiful shiny stone inlaid with little crystals which he triumphantly presented to her.

  “Nerves? Who said I was nervous?”

  “Ye seemed shy before, but each time we meet I see more of the true Andrew Macleod,” Nairne swam up beside him as they both climbed out onto a large flat rock by the water’s edge.

  “Ye were the nervous one, running away when all I wanted tae say was ‘hello,’ ye fair scarpered like a deer when I emerged from the forest.”

  “Any lassie would when a man twice her size comes crashing from the trees, ye might have been a Cameron trying tae kidnap me for all I knew.”

  At this, Andrew laughed out loud, the sound echoing around the glade.

  “Kidnap ye? What would I do with ye if I did?”

  “Take me deep intae the forest and make me yer wife,” and standing up began to dress, “I know what laddies like ye are like,” and he blushed as she smiled.

  “Oh yes, what are laddies like me like?” Standing before her, his torso glistened wet, a smile on his face as their eyes met.

  “They’re Cameron fiends, that’s what they’re like, this one at least,” the captain of Murdoch’s guard stepped forward as three more of his men emerged from the trees.

  “So, this is what ye have been doing in the forest, is it lassie? Meeting with the enemy and making liaisons with dangerous men, ye are right about one thing. If given the chance this laddie would have ye spirited away intae the trees, never tae be seen again,” the captain grabbed Andrew roughly and forced his hands behind his back.

  “How dare ye follow me, let go of him at once,” Nairne shouted, as the men tied Andrew’s hands roughly.

  “And as for ye, ye should be ashamed of yerself, yer father was right
to be suspicious of ye, cavorting with the enemy. What secrets have ye told this Cameron fiend about us? Have ye betrayed yer father for if so then ye will feel his wrath just as this laddie will tae,” the captain smiled, Murdoch would be pleased with his find.

  “He is not a Cameron, and I have betrayed no secrets, what secrets do ye think I know of? His name is Andrew Macleod, and he lives here in the forest, he is no Cameron, unhand him immediately,” Nairne implored.

  “Daughter of the Laird or not ye do not give me orders, lassie, do ye hear that?” the captain laughed in her face, causing Nairne to turn her head away in shame, now believing that Andrew would now know her secret.

  “Ye will be taken back to the castle, laddie, and we shall see what ye have tae say for yerself. I have no doubt that the Laird will be very interested tae discover more about Andrew Macleod if indeed that is yer name. Now, lassie, do yer hands need tae be tied tae or will ye walk nicely at our side like an obedient wee lassie?”

  Nairne gave no reply, and she looked sadly at Andrew, who returned her gaze, the severity of the situation becoming all too clear.

  * * *

  There was another watcher by the pool that day. Stewart Mackintosh looked on in horror at the scene unfolding, powerless to do anything about it. He could not hope to take on the captain and three of Murdoch’s best men, and all he could do was watch as his stepson was led away. He had been amazed to see Andrew and the young lassie by the pool, he had no idea who she was, and indeed no inclination that she was his niece.

  He had felt a pang of guilt for suspecting Andrew of treachery and seeing and hearing him and the lassie swim and talk together in the pool had reminded him of the delight that he and Rhona had experienced in those first days and weeks of their secret courtship. He had no desire to stand in the way of young love and had been about to return quietly to the crofts to inform Rhona and Duncan that all was well when Murdoch’s men had emerged from the tree’s.

  Now Stewart watched in horror as they led Andrew away, unable to hear the words which passed between them as his step son’s hands were bound and he was forced to march with them into the trees. Stewart followed them for a while, watching as Andrew was forced to walk in front of the men whose swords were drawn in case of trouble. It soon became apparent where they were taking him, and Stewart dared not go any further lest he be pounced upon by Mackintosh guards, reluctantly he turned back, casting one final look towards Andrew whose destiny now lay in the hands of Stewart’s most despised enemy, the brother he had betrayed for love.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ‘A Sad State’

  Andrew Cameron was in trouble. When Murdoch’s men emerged from the forest there had been no time to flee, and he was no match for four heavily armed soldiers, especially while still in the state of undress in which they had found him. He had no choice but to go with them, and as they walked back to the castle, he felt the terror rising in him as he contemplated his fate.

  “Walk quicker ye Cameron fiend,” the captain of the guards pushed Andrew roughly along.

  “Dinnae treat him like that,” Nairne ran alongside, pulling the captain’s hand away.

  “Do ye want to feel my wrath tae?” the captain shouted, pushing her away.

  “My father will hear of how ye have behaved.”

  “Yer father is the one who sent us after ye in the first place, ye little fool,” the captain and his guards laughed at her naivety.

  The ropes which bound Andrew’s hands cut into his wrists, and as they emerged from the forest, he looked up in terror at the castle above him. It seemed more prominent and foreboding than ever, its grim turrets and battlements a place he had been taught to fear.

  “Look what we have here, men, a Camron fiend for our delight,” the captain pushed Andrew roughly through the gate and into the castle courtyard, more guards emerging to witness the spectacle before them.

  Andrew stood meekly, bound and helpless, awaiting his fate. Next to him, Nairne remained resolutely at his side, determined not to abandon the laddie whom she felt responsible for being caught.

  The commotion soon drew the attention of Murdoch Mackintosh, and he emerged from the keep, closely followed by Una.

  “I hate ye,” Nairne shouted, “how dare ye speak such sickly sweet words and then have me followed? Ye are nothing but a despicable and hideous man, I have no father.”

  “Shut yer mouth, I shall deal with ye later, but first ye will tell me who this laddie is,” Murdoch turned to the captain of the guard who saluted him and stood proudly next to his captive.

  “We found yer daughter and this laddie cavorting in a pool below Cornevis. They seemed very familiar with one another, and certainly, it was not the first time they have met, We watched as they swam and talked together, the laddie seems sweet upon yer daughter Laird, and I fancy they were just about tae share a kiss when we stepped forward. He says his name is Andrew Macleod, a forest dweller,” and the captain pushed Andrew forward.

  He fell on his knees, struggling to get up with his hands still tied behind his back, the onlookers laughing as Murdoch Mackintosh grabbed Andrew by the scruff of the neck and hauled him up.

  “Well, well, well, laddie, ye say ye are Andrew Macleod, Andrew is a bonnie name is it not? A bonnie name for a bonnie laddie, ye have a noble look tae ye. But that does not mean ye can have yer wicked ways with my daughter now, does it?” And his face darkened.

  Andrew made no reply, praying that his true identity would not be recognized or discovered. There was no reason why Murdoch should know who he was, but any of the soldiers might, if he was recognized, then death was inevitable, and Andrew knew it.

  “Perhaps this is just the innocent play of youth, do ye not think, Murdoch?” Una stepped forward to comfort Nairne who was now in tears at Andrew’s side.

  “Hush yer mouth, woman,” Murdoch looked intently at Andrew who avoided his gaze, “Nairne has disobeyed me far tae often and I dinnae like that, I dinnae like that at all, ye will see tae it that our daughter is kept in line, else it will be the worst for both of ye. Where do ye hail from laddie? A forest dweller? What do ye know of the Cameron’s, are ye one of their spies? Are ye one of their friends? The Cameron’s have many friends in the forest, ye folk are no ally tae us now are ye?”

  “I am no Cameron,” Andrew said quietly, “I am sorry if I have offended ye, I only wanted tae be a friend tae yer daughter, she is a bonnie lassie, and I like her very much.”

  “Ye hear that men? He ‘likes her very much,’ well isn’t that sweet,” Murdoch laughed, “but my daughter is not for the taking by common forest folk like ye, do ye hear me?”

  Andrew nodded, hoping that his humble demeanor would soften Murdoch’s attitude toward him.

  “I like him very much tae, and ye will not stop me in my feelings,” Nairne started suddenly, stepping forward between her father and Andrew.

  “And now the lassie speaks, the disobedient lassie who could not simply do as she was told by her father, the father who takes care of her and feeds and waters her, and for what in return? Disobedience. Nairne, this laddie is a commoner from the forest, the lowliest of folk, and yet ye think ye can cavort with him and play me for a fool? We’ll see how ye like my treatment of yer wee friend,” Murdoch sneered, “captain, have this laddie thrown into the dungeon below, see how he likes it, and if he proves tae be troublesome, then ye know what tae do.”

  “Aye, Laird,” the captain took hold of Andrew’s arm and dragged him towards the dungeons.

  “And as for ye,” Murdoch growled, grabbing hold of Nairne’s arm, “ye and I will have a little talk about obedience,” and he pulled her into the keep as Andrew disappeared from her sight.

  Chapter Fourteen

  ‘A Missing Laddie’

  The dungeons of the Cameron castle were much the same as they had been when Iain Cameron was Laird. They lay beneath the courtyard, a series of cells designed to weaken the resolve of even the hardiest of men. Murdoch made a habit of locking people up,
it had proved an effective means of dealing with his enemies and at times his friends. He would have those who opposed him locked away, deprived of food and water, the only light coming from a grate in the castle wall at the end of that sad corridor. Now Andrew found himself thrown into the furthest cell, the key turned behind him, terrified by the ordeal.

  “Be strong, Andrew, and think of yer father,” he kept telling himself, kneeling and offering up a prayer to God for his safety.

  He felt stupid at having been caught, yet neither of them had suspected they were followed, and it was clear that the appearance of Murdoch’s men was as a surprise to Nairne as it had been to him. But now, as he lay upon the solid piece of stone which jutted from the wall and served as a bed, Andrew Cameron was fearful for what lay ahead.