Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) (9 page)

A few scrawny hens stood in her way, foraging for
food. She snapped the plaid at them. It cracked through the air like a whip and
the fowl scattered, squawking in fright. Nearby a dog tucked its tail and
scurried out of her path.

She crossed under the raised portcullis and onto
the rough mud-filled road, headed for the small crofter's hut in the distance.
Her frowning expression caused more than one wary glance from the people she
passed. Anger quickened her steps further. Within a short time, she stood
before a paltry wattle and daub hut. With the woolen shawl clenched tightly in
her hand, she thrust out her arm to knock just as the door opened.

A smiling old woman stood in the doorway, her
wrinkled features shadowed by the dim light within.

Startled, Katherine hesitated. She had expected
someone much younger. "Uh, good day mistress. I am Lady Gordon and
I—" 

"Ah, m'lady, 'tis a great pleasure to meet
ye." Gesturing to the interior of the hut, she added, "Please come
in. I am Elsa, grandmother of Fiona Duggin and once nurse to Sir Alexander's
mother." The white haired woman stepped aside allowing her to enter the
simple dwelling.

Katherine glanced around the sparse room. Aside
from several bunches of herbs hanging from the rafter to dry, 'twas little
there. The entire contents of the hut were a small table, rickety cot, a single
chair and a stool near the hearth, together with a few meager belongings and a
small puddle on the dirt floor. Clearly the thatched roof was in need of
repair. Despite the obvious poverty, she was determined to have her say. She
drew a deep breath and said, "I wish to speak with your
granddaughter."

"'Tis sorry I am, m'lady, fer she isna here.
Ah, I see ye've found her shawl. Fiona will be that glad to have it back. She
told me just this morn, she lost it last eve when she went to see to a poor,
helpless lamb caught out in the storm."

Helpless lamb, indeed! More like a wolf in rut,
Katherine thought.

The old woman's face beamed with obvious pride.
"My Fiona has such a lovin' heart. She put her own safety after that of a
wee creature in need." Elsa drew a gnarled hand to her chest. "I beg
yer pardon, m'lady. Ye look weary. Please sit beside the fire. I will fix ye
some of my herb tea. 'Tis not much, but 'twill give ye back yer strength."

"Thank you, no. If your granddaughter is not
here, then there's no need for me to stay." Katherine handed the shawl to
her and started toward the door. 

"M'lady, if ye will bide a wee bit ye may yet
speak to Fiona. She should be here verra soon." Guilelessly, Elsa motioned
to the cheerful light of the fire and her own worn chair.

Katherine looked at the woman's wrinkled, pleasant
face. The open friendship she was being offered seemed genuine. "Perhaps I
could stay for a short time. May I watch you prepare your herb tea? I have some
experience with herbs and would enjoy learning more."

"Ah, m'lady, ye're most welcome to watch. I
ne'er could interest Fiona in such. 'Tis a shame, fer she would have made a
good healer if she'd chosen to become one. But I fear she doesna know the
difference between a healin' herb and a bit of straw."

As Elsa heated water and worked with her herbs,
she became quiet, as if lost in thought. When she spoke, her voice was soft and
tender. "Please, m'lady, may I ask a boon of ye? I'm naught but an old
woman, but I love Sir Alexander as I loved his sweet mother, God rest her
soul." Elsa crossed herself then spread her hands out as if in
supplication. "Fer years, I've watched him grow from a wee lonely lad to
manhood. Growin' up surrounded by naught but men, he has learned little
patience for women. Deep inside he is tender hearted, but he hasna yet learned
to listen with his heart instead of with his head when it comes to givin' his
trust to a woman."

The old woman smiled wistfully. "I pray he
will do so with ye from the beginnin', but it may take a wee time for him.
Doubt not he is a fine mon. He will ne'er lie to ye and will honor his vows to
ye. Of that, ye can be sure."

She nodded with conviction as she poured tea in an
earthen cup. "To the outside world he proves himself to be strong and
braw, who needs no one. But hidden away inside he needs love as all men do, but
oft willna admit it. I beg ye to be tolerant and give him time for his
affection to grow, m'lady."  Elsa smiled as she laid her care-worn hand
briefly on Katherine's. Then she led her over to the seat by the hearth and
handed her a cup of fragrant tea. 

As Katherine sat before the cheery fire, she
sipped the refreshing drink and felt her tense shoulders begin to relax. By the
time she'd finished, the tightness in her chest had eased and the knot in her
throat was gone. A sense of calm settled over her for the first time since
she'd arrived at During Castle. She drew a deep steady breath and exhaled
slowly, thankful to Elsa for her kindness as well as her tea.

Clearly, what she'd heard in the stable wasn't
true. Never would she have been treated so kindly if it were so. Standing, she
brushed at the dried mud on her skirts then said, "Elsa, thank you for the
tea and your hospitality. Faith, I do feel better. I will leave your
granddaughter's shawl with you. Might I visit you again?"

The old woman's face beamed in obvious pleasure.
"Aye, m'lady. My hearth will always be open to ye." 

Despite clouds gathering overhead, Katherine
hummed and took her time walking back to the castle. Relief over learning her
mistake about Alexander and Elsa's granddaughter made her feel like singing. A
slim, raven-haired young woman approached and Katherine smiled in open
friendship. She was startled when the girl stopped in the middle of the road,
blocking her way.

She spoke abruptly. "What were ye doin' at
Elsa's hut? Strangers are nay welcome there. Her mind grows worse each day and
I willna have aught distressin' her." Noticing the betrothal ring on
Katherine's hand, the girl gasped and her attractive face contorted in an ugly
scowl. "So, ye must be the one who means to take my place in Alexander's
heart. Ha. Ye'll ne'er have it." She tossed her head back, slinging her
dark hair like a whip. "I am Fiona Duggin. Alex and I have been together
always; close friends in childhood and lovers e'er this past year."

 Katherine's eyes widened in shock as the young
woman continued. "Who do ye think he'll turn to when he tires of
pretendin' interest in ye? Ah, I see ye dinna know the way of it. Didna
Alexander tell ye that the laird commanded he marry ye or be cast from the
clan? His marriage to ye was arranged only because of the friendship of Laird
MacGregor and yer Da. He cares naught fer ye." 

She thrust her face closer and her lips twisted in
a cruel smile. "The old laird wishes to see his son married to anyone of
rank to continue the line. Alexander promised himself to me and would have told
his Da so, if 'twere not fer ye! Ye are nay welcome here. Go back to the keep
and make ready fer yer fine weddin'. But remember this. When Alexander beds ye,
as he must do, 'twill be my face he sees and my name in his heart!"

White-hot anger surged through Katherine. In her
rage, she paid no heed to the sounds of a rider approaching. She drew back her
hand and slapped the woman.

The sound of the slap was lost in the noise of a
horse being jerked to a halt. Katherine turned in time to see Alexander vault
from his saddle, his handsome face creased in concern.

Fiona cried out as if in great fear and threw
herself toward him. "Alexander, help me!"

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and
scowled past her bent head. His icy green stare was more chilling than the
frozen waters of Loch More. The deep growl of his voice matched the thunder
rumbling in the distance. "Lady Gordon,
if
a lady you be, cease
your attack! You have no right to strike this lass."

Pain and renewed anger surged through Katherine at
the apparent disgust in his voice. Never had she been so humiliated. She fought
to control her words. "So, what she says is true. Well, I won't take the
leavings of a strumpet. I'll not marry you and live with your dishonor. You two
may have each other. And the devil take you both!" Grasping the betrothal
ring, she wrenched it from her finger and threw it in the mud at their feet.

Katherine grabbed up her skirts and ran back
toward the keep, only once looking back. The sight of Fiona in Alexander's
arms, their heads bent close together in whispered conversation, stabbed at her
heart. She hurried around a bend in the road, barely missing a large muddy
patch not yet dried from the previous night's tempest. Thunder filled the air
with a deafening roar. Startled, she glanced up at the darkening sky as
menacing clouds churned overhead. Before she could take another step, the
heavens opened up, battering her with cold biting rain. Wind driven sheets of
water pelted her face and mingled with her tears.

Unsuccessfully, she tried to wipe the blur from
her eyes. It was nigh impossible to see. Suddenly she lost her footing and
pitched forward as she stepped into a rut. Her heavy gown's sopping skirts
wrapped around her legs. Her arms flailed desperately as she sought to regain
her balance. Her slipper hit a rock, and she careened headlong into the mud.

Bruised and sobbing, she pulled herself free of
the quick sand like grip of the oozing sludge and stumbled toward the castle.
The wind shifted direction as the deluge continued, forcing her to fight for
every step she took. Although the constant downpour washed away the majority of
the mud, it left her drenched and shivering in the process.

The storm's return had emptied the bailey and
courtyard of anyone who might have given her aid. Barely able to see through
the driving shower, she dragged herself up the steps, and limped into the main
corridor of the castle.

Monique rushed across the corridor with a gasp.
"Mon
Dieu!
What has happened? What were you doing out in such a storm?"

Katherine clung to her and sobbed as her mother
wiped her streaming hair from her face. "
Cheri
, what is it? Never
have I seen you so troubled."

"Oh,
Maman
, I cannot marry Alexander!
He has a… he cares naught for me."

"Shh, my darling. You are distraught. Surely
it cannot be as bad as you think."

A young girl's voice called out from further down
the corridor. "My lady, is aught wrong?"

Monique looked over her shoulder. "Gillian,
come quickly. Lady Katherine was caught out in the rain and I fear she may
become ill. I'll escort her to her chamber. Please go to the kitchen and
request a soothing drink be made for her. Then hasten upstairs and prepare a
hot bath for her."

"Aye, m'lady!"

Katherine stood shivering with cold, too weary to
move.

Her mother tugged gently on her shoulders.
"Come,
mon cheri
. Let us go to the privacy of your chamber. You
must get warm. Then you can tell me what troubles you so. We will find a way to
put aught right."

Katherine tried to blink away her tears with no
success. How could she tell her mother of her shame? She trembled and nodded,
incapable of speech. She moved forward slowly on leaden feet. Gradually, she
ascended the stairs beside her mother. The dead weight of her clinging skirts
dragged against her legs. The winding stairway fought her every step. Her
exhausted limbs quivered under the effort. Sweet Mother Mary, help her. Wearily
she gripped and pulled, then clung to the rope handrail fighting to remain
standing after she hauled herself up. One more step. Another. Then the next.

By the time she sank onto the small stool before
the fire in her chamber, her arms drooped limply at her sides. Her exhausted
legs trembled beneath her gown and, faith, but her head throbbed.

The chamber door opened and Gillian entered
carrying a steaming cup of spiced mead followed by four lads struggling with
large buckets of equally steaming water. After the tub was filled and the lads
left, Gillian and Monique helped Katherine remove her sodden clothing and
assisted her to the tub. While Gillian stoked up the fire in the chamber,
Monique washed Katherine's hair for her, just as she'd done when she was small.
The warm water pouring over her head and shoulders eased the pain of her
muscles and she stopped trembling. Eventually, the warmth of the hot bath and
the calming elixir soothed her and she began to feel drowsy.

Monique smoothed the damp hair back from her
daughter's forehead. "My darling, you must sleep now. Come, you will feel
much better after you have rested."

Katherine quickly dried off before the blazing
fire and slipped into a soft woolen gown.

Outside, the rain slowed to a steady patter. The
thunder rumbled low as it moved off into the distance. Katherine glanced at her
bed. The thick woven blankets and furs were turned back invitingly. A warming
stone lay nestled among the linen sheets. She moved toward it on leaden feet.
When she lay down, the soft surrounding warmth enveloped her and she felt her
tension slowly fade away.

Monique tucked a thick fur around her and said,
"Now,
cheri
, tell me what has happened."

Tears threatened to begin anew. Katherine forced
them back and feigned a calm she no longer felt. "
Maman
, I am weary
and 'tis too difficult to speak of. Only know I would not sever the betrothal
without just reason."

Monique sat in silence for several minutes.

As Katherine drifted into a troubled sleep, she
heard her mother's voice as she headed toward the doorway.

"
Mon Dieu
. Something must be
done."

Chapter Six

The late afternoon sun shone through the window of
Ian's chamber as Alexander entered. It had been two days since Fiona and
Katherine's confrontation. He'd hunted alone in the hills to give himself time
to sort his thoughts. "Da, William said you wished to speak with me."

"Aye! Come in and close the door behind
you."

Alexander emerged a short time later, his jaw
tightly clenched. He climbed the stairs to Katherine's chamber and firmly
knocked on the door. While he waited for an answer, he thought of things he would
like to say but couldn't. He raised his arm to knock again when the door
opened. 

Katherine's startled expression reminded him of a
frightened deer, aware of the hunter and on the verge of flight. 'Twas apparent
she hadn't intended to see him. She gripped the edge of the door as if she
thought to slam it closed.

Alexander tried not to scowl. Remorse for her
apparent unease and frustration with their situation sat poorly in his gut. He
cleared his throat and forced himself to smile. "My lady, I have come to
ask you to walk with me in the garden. It… it would give us a chance to speak
peaceably and… become accustomed to each other. Will you join me?"

A look of resignation washed across her face. She
looked at him in silence for a long moment before she answered. "Aye, if
you wish it."

Her small hand trembled in his as he led her down
the stairs and outside. The rain soaked land had mostly dried. As long as they
stayed on the garden's gravel paths, they would have no problems walking. He
released her hand. They walked side by side without touching again.

The air smelled crisp and clean. The golden glow
of late afternoon bathed the riotous shrubs and overgrown vines, which
threatened to choke out the few scattered flowers bravely dotting the dense
growth.

He frowned, noticing the garden's obvious neglect.
It had been well kept the last time he'd seen it. But then, it had been a long
time since he'd wanted to walk through his mother's favorite place. Someone
would answer for this.

"Oh what a shame." Although Katherine's
face was turned away from him, he still heard the wistful note in her voice.

He followed her gaze and noticed the stone sundial
lying on the ground. "Och, lass, 'tis no problem. I will set it
aright."

As he walked toward it, Katherine said, "The
other morn I watched two lads stand it up, but it must be broken. They put a
stone under it to steady it."

"Aye, 'tis broken. It happened years ago when
William and I used it for battle practice as young lads." He grinned for a
brief moment. "Och, but Da was furious with us for breaking it. 'Twas
Mam's favorite piece in the garden. We were not allowed near the garden for
months after that." Alexander bent down and easily lifted the solid stone
pedestal and wedged a small rock beneath it. "There. It should stand
now."

As he dusted his hands off, he looked back at
Katherine and smiled. The tension he'd felt earlier, dissolved as she gave him
a nervous smile in return. But when she quickly looked away, a deep blush
spreading across her face, his bemused mind sought a reason. He didn't have
long to ponder. A stiff breeze rustled through the garden. It sent a cool chill
high up his right thigh. 

Damn. Surely not.

He glanced down at his kilt. Sure enough, the edge
of it was caught on a bramble beside him. The side of his leg from his knee to
just below his hip stood there proudly displayed. The heat of the sun
diminished in comparison to that warming him from his neck to his forehead. He
snatched his kilt free and hurriedly smoothed it back in place. Aye, someone
would indeed pay for the garden's neglect. As soon as he could think of a way
to speak of this without becoming even more the butt of the joke.

Alexander checked his kilt once more as Katherine
walked a few paces away. After making sure it covered him from his waist to
where it ended just above his knees, he hurried after her. Silently, he fell
into step. He glanced about the area. What could he say? There must be
something he could talk about to end this damned embarrassment. "Tell me
lass, would you like to know the story of this castle? 'Tis an interesting one
to be sure."

Her glance met his for a moment. Then she looked
away.  "Aye, if you wish to tell it."

"When my parents were first wed, they lived
in Castle Ironwood. They were quite happy there. After a year, Da was called to
Scone, to give service to the king. Since his attendance at court was only to
last a fortnight, Mam remained behind at Castle Ironwood. I have been told when
he returned, she was so overjoyed they remained in their chamber for a sennight
before they joined the rest of the clan. Uh, 'twould seem neither of them
wished to be parted for a moment."

Och, what was he doing? His tale was meant to put
them at ease with each other, not embarrass them further. He cleared his throat
and thought more carefully on his words. "A few months went by and then,
once again, Da was summoned to Scone. This time, however, he was commanded to
stay for nigh on a year. Since my parents didn't wish to be separated for so
long, they made plans for Mam to accompany him."

Alexander nudged a large stone out of Katherine's
way. "The eve before they were to begin their journey, a violent storm
arose. Heavy rain fell in such torrents that the local bridges were washed
asunder. After it abated, much of the land and all the roads remained flooded.
Travel under such conditions was treacherous, so Da insisted Mam remain behind
for her own safety."

Katherine sighed. "That must have broken your
mother's heart."

Alexander nodded. "Aye, Da, too, found their
separation almost unbearable. Whene'er he could get away from affairs at court,
he rode around the nearby countryside, thinking of Mam. One day he spotted a
section of land he felt drawn to explore. He became fond of the area with its
rolling hills and large glens and rode there any time he wasn't needed at
court."

Katherine's eyes sparkled as she glanced at the
vast green fields and distant hills about her. "Oh. This is it, isn't it?
'This is the land he found."

Alexander grinned at her. "Aye, lass. You're
very quick. He sent missives to Mam telling her how lonely he was without her.
That he was merely enduring and never wanted to be parted from her again. He
also wrote her of the special piece of land where he enjoyed riding and
thinking of her."

"Your mother must have missed him sorely
too."

"Aye. She wrote back and suggested he
purchase the land and build a home there. That way she could be with him, no
matter how often or how long he was required at court."

"Then 'tis— Oh!" Katherine stumbled over
a root growing through the graveled path.

Alexander's arm shot out and wrapped around her
waist, steadying her. He looked down at her and couldn't resist touching her.
Just once. His fingers slid over the silky texture of her sleeve from her
shoulder to her wrist. She was so beautiful. Unconsciously, his other hand
found its way to her side and he gazed into her eyes.

She looked up at him silently, her cheeks flushed
a deep crimson.

His mind strayed with thoughts of touching her
face. Her lips. He raised his hand to her hair. Slowly, he caressed the side of
her neck. Her skin was as soft as a rose petal.

She jumped at his touch and her voice quivered.
"Thank you. I… I'm fine now."

Katherine pulled away quickly, but not before he
saw a fine vein on the side of her neck beat with a quickened pulse. Was she as
affected by their closeness as he was? He cleared his throat. "Och, where
was I?"

She did not meet his gaze. "You were about to
tell me of the land your father wished to buy."

"Oh, aye. The land belonged to Lord Foirseadh,
one of the lairds at court. When Da sought to purchase it, the laird demanded
an unreasonable amount of money, and then taunted my sire when he wouldn't
agree to such an outrageous sum. Da became furious and challenged the laird to
combat."

"Combat? But couldn't your father just have
paid the amount or found another piece of land?"

Alexander smiled slightly and shook his head.
"Ah, lass, I'm afraid stubbornness runs strong in my family. The next day
Da and Lord Foirseadh fought. They were evenly matched in abilities and the
battle lasted overlong. Then Da slipped and fell. Laird Foirseadh swung his
sword but Da rolled to the side and tripped him. As the man stumbled, he was
unable to stop the swing of his own sword. He fell against it, severely cutting
his leg. He lay on the ground, his leg covered in blood, and shouted abuse
after abuse at my sire. 'Twould seem he hoped to anger Da enough to kill him,
rather than leave him there to bleed to death."

"Sweet heaven."  Katherine shuddered and
glanced up at him, the obvious question shining in her eyes.

Alexander stood straight and proud. "No,
lass. My sire is an honorable man. He decided to bind the wound and take him
back to court, even if it meant losing the land for wounding Foirseadh. Without
explaining, Da told the man he wouldn't dirty his sword with more bloodshed.
Foirseadh went berserk. He thought Da meant to leave him to bleed to death so
he grabbed his dirk and stabbed Da when he bent to bind his wound."

Katherine clutched his arm. "Sweet Mary! Was
your father badly injured?"

Her guileless concern startled him and the touch
of her hand sent fire shooting up his arm. God, the lass had a way of awakening
his lust with a mere look or touch. Perhaps he was wrong to resent their
betrothal. No, if he thought that way over long, she'd soon control him. And
that he would give no one, man or woman.

He answered in a clipped tone to cover his
turmoil. "Hmph. It would take more than a wee scratch from a dirk to cause
my da any grave concern. He jumped out of the way so the knife merely cut his
shoulder rather than stab his heart. Then he hit Foirseadh with his fist. Da
told me, once, that he knew he had broken the man's nose when he heard a loud
crack. He said 'twas a most satisfying sound."

Alexander smiled a boyish grin. "The laird
fell in a heap, like a sack of grain dropped from a miller's wagon. While the
man was unconscious, Da bound Foirseadh's wound as well as his own, took him
back to court and paid a physician to see to his care."

Katherine still gripped his arm. The heat from her
touch warmed him like summer sun at midday. He was drawn to her as surely as
all living things were drawn to the life-giving orb in the heavens. When she
started to pull away, he reached over and gently pressed her hand back in
place. "No, lass. Don't pull away from me. I enjoy your nearness. And I
won't bite you."
Perhaps nibble and consume you
, he thought.

The image instantly altered his thoughts from
pleasant warmth to fiery heat. What was it about her that stirred him so
quickly to lust? By the saints, she sent his passion reeling. He felt his
self-control waver and pulled at the collar of his shirt. "Och, but 'tis
warm out here. Do you wish to sit in the shade to hear the rest of the tale? Or
does my story tire you as much as the long walk?"

She smiled and shook her head. "No. I truly
enjoy strolling through the garden. I love the rich colors and smells of
flowers and plants. Oh, look. There's a wee bit of heather among the roses.
They say 'tis good to find a bit of heather in your flower garden."

"Why is that, lass?"

"It shows us that by ourselves we are not as
rich as we may think and reminds us of simple pleasures to be found in
life." Katherine looked at him with a smile.  "Fie, listen to me. I…
I chatter like a magpie. Please finish telling me your story."

 "Agreed. If you are certain you don't mind
the walk, there is a special part of the garden I would like to show you. 'Twas
planted by my mother after she and Da settled here."

"Aye, that would be very nice."

He nodded and led her along the path. "On the
morn Da prepared to leave for Castle Ironwood, he received a summons to the
king's chamber. He was given the charter to this land as well as a pouch of
gold. It seemed while Lord Foirseadh was healing, he learned of what Da had
done for him and he told the king of the noble act. 'Twas decided the laird
would make a gift of the land, and the king, wishing to bestow something on my
sire for his extraordinary deed, gave him the purchase price Foirseadh had
asked for in gold."

"Oh, how grand. Your father must have been
very proud."

"Aye. He was near struck dumb with their
generosity. Da pledged his oath of fealty to the king once more and vowed
friendship between the MacGregor and Foirseadh clans. He returned home during
the building of the castle, and when 'twas finished, Mam and Da moved here. Mam
liked it so much, they ne'er returned to Ironwood."

Katherine gazed at him and sighed. "Never
have I heard such a thrilling tale. But I still don't understand how the castle
came to be called by such a curious name."

He stroked her hand gently and smiled. "Well,
lass, it seems while on their journey here, my parents oft spoke of how
heartsick they'd been while apart. That they had merely endured the passage of
time until they could be together again. 'Twas decided they would name their
new home During Castle. For here they would reside together during the times
they must be away from Castle Ironwood but ne'er again have to endure being
apart from each other."

His chest tightened at the sight of Katherine
blinking back her tears. So, the lass did have a tender heart after all. In
time, would she feel about him as Mam had for his sire? Katherine drew a deep
breath to slow her quickened breathing. "Thank you for telling me of your
parents, Sir Alexander. I wish I could have met your mother. I've already grown
fond of your father and brother."