The Accidental Highland Hero (The Highlanders #2)

Chapter Nine

Had Eanruig located the woman in Glen Affric acquainted with Eilis or not? James assumed he had by the satisfied smile he had cast Eilisa while they were seated at the table, eating their meal.

Eanruig crossed the hall to stand beside James and glanced in Eilis’s direction, then said to James, “My laird, may I have a word with you in private? I have some information, but...”

‘Twas not good, he surmised from the disturbed tone of Eanruig’s voice. James rose from his chair. “Continue with your meal,”

he said to his people.

His muscles rippling with tension, James stalked out of the hall with Eanruig by his side.

“What did you find?”

James asked, barely able to suppress his anxiousness.

“I believe I have found a young woman who knows the lass.”

James narrowed his eyes. “You believe?”

“Aye. A woman named Fia denied she knew her. Fia is the niece of a woman who married one of my cousins. She is around Eilis’s age but dark haired and eyed and doesn’t look at all like Eilis. I had hoped they were related, but I was afraid to ask too many questions just as you had warned.”

James raised his brows. “And?”

Eanruig cleared his throat. “Fia grew flustered, as if she were lying. She was clearly distraught, and I am sure she is the one I saw with Eilis last summer. When I first questioned Fia, she seemed reluctant to speak of her. But when I mentioned the shipwreck and how we had rescued the lady, the lass seemed overjoyed. Her expression quickly changed, and again she denied knowing her.”

“I want her brought here. We will see if she can continue this mockery when the two women are reunited.”

“But how will I be able to convince her da the woman should be allowed to come here, my laird?”

“Is the lass married?”

“Nay, and not betrothed either.”

“Tell Fia’s da I wish to consider her as a bride choice. Not that I want to give the lady false hope or that I would be interested, but I must know who Eilis truly is.”

“Aye, my laird. I will send an escort for her right away.”

James motioned to a servant. “Bring a meal for both Eanruig and me to my solar.”

“Aye, my lord.”

The man rushed off to the kitchen.

“What news have you of my brothers?”

James asked, unable to wait to hear the news in the privacy of his solar, although there was no one about as most were at the meal.

He and Eanruig headed up the stairs.

“Angus was injured in a fight with some of Robert Curthose’s men, but his injuries will heal, and he will have use of his sword arm before long.”

James sat down at his desk in the small room and motioned to another chair. “And the others?”

Although the news about Angus was not the best, he gathered from Eanruig’s furrowed brow it was not the worst.

“Malcolm married Lady Anice.”

James closed his gaping mouth. “My brother has a death wish? I release my brothers from my service to find English brides and what does Malcolm do? He marries a Scottish lady, ward of King Henry I, who wishes her wed to one of his Norman barons? Here I have my own battles to fight, and now I will have to take up arms against the English king to save my brother’s neck? Whatever possessed him to do such a foolhardy thing?”

“He would not give me the details, but he did receive King Henry’s permission, after the fact.”

Unable to believe it, James stared at his seneschal. In all the years he’d protected Malcolm and his brother had done the same for him, not once had Malcolm acted in any manner, well, rash, when it came to dealing with a woman. He’d had his share of lovely lasses, aye, but to lose his head over King Henry’s ward and then claim her before getting the sovereign’s permission?

“God’s teeth, I did not think Malcolm had it in him! This calls for a celebration, although my mother will be furious to learn of this when she was not invited to the wedding. And why is Malcolm not here to assist me? Lady Anice has already shackled him to her wedding bed?”

He smiled at the thought. Not such a bad reason at that if he had Catriona in his own.

“She has had some trouble with a Laird Robertson, and Malcolm did not wish to leave her alone until he dealt with the matter.”

Servants carried in trays of food, and James seized the mug of mead and took a swig. After dismissing the servants, James turned his attention to Eanruig. “You have not told me about Dougald.”

“Nay, my laird. Both he and Gunnolf should have arrived here already.”

A sickening feeling swamped him, yet, James couldn’t believe his brother and Gunnolf could be dead. He would not believe it. He slammed down his mug. “Get as many men together as we can. We search for my brother and Gunnolf at once.”

****

Eilis couldn’t eat a bite of her food when James and Eanruig returned to the great hall. Everyone watched their laird as concerned as she was.

James leaned over to whisper something in his mother’s ear then kissed her cheek. He glanced at Eilis, but he hid his feelings well, and she couldn’t tell what the matter was. Then he stalked out of the hall while Eanruig spread the word about the trouble. All the men began rising from their benches and followed James out of the hall, like sheep following their sheepherder, only they looked ready to do battle with some unseen force.

Dunbarton’s men again?

Lady Beatrice was speaking to Lady Akira about the matter, Eilis was certain, but she couldn’t hear their words. At first, Nighinn listened to her mother and Lady Akira’s conversation but then she turned to Eilis and gave her an icy glower.

“Ye are not from a clan James is considering to tie with his own through marriage.”

Eilis didn’t intend to respond, but Lady Akira was closely watching Nighinn. As if she feared Eilis might say the wrong thing and ruin the charade, Lady Akira abruptly rose from her chair and ended the meal.

Which, considering most of the men had left and the women were in a tither over the matter, was just as well. Besides, Eilis was grateful she didn’t have to contend with James’s cousin for a moment longer.

But the best news was Tavia was nowhere in sight, and Eilis assumed the healer was still with the lady who needed her help in delivering her bairn. Even Fergus had left with James, and it appeared Eilis finally had a means of escape.

But Lady Akira motioned to Nesta, and when the maid joined her, she said, “Stay with Eilis.”

“Aye, my lady.”

Och, of all the women to serve Eilis, why the woman who wove the greatest tales? Still, there were no men sent to guard Eilis and…

His expression concerned, Niall reappeared and crossed the hall to join them. Before he even spoke a word, Eilis’s heart sank.

He said to his aunt, “James asked me to stay and take charge here in his absence.”

He glanced at Eilis, and she knew he meant to foil her plot.

“Aye. See that Eilis is taken to her chamber. I hear she became indisposed earlier, and she must rest further.”

Lady Akira’s dark eyes studied Eilis.

She couldn’t discern how his mother felt about Nesta’s accusations.

As kind as she’d been in taking Eilis in, she hoped the lady was not too perturbed with her. Lady Akira, Lady Beatrice, and Nighinn hurried off, while Niall, his mouth turned up slightly, his dark eyes even darker, escorted Eilis back to her chamber. Nesta trailed behind them.

“I believe,”

Niall said, his words lowered for Eilis’s hearing only, “Lady Catriona is already too late in coming.” A devilish lift to his lips and a glint in his eyes indicated his amusement.

She was much relieved he made the comment only for her, because she knew if Nesta had caught his words, the tale would be all over the castle by morn. Eilis worried about the way Niall spoke low to her, his mouth a hair’s breadth away from her ear. What if Nesta would make something more of their relationship also?

“You think Nighinn has caught His Lairdship’s eye?”

Eilis asked demurely.

Niall gave a short laugh. “Playing the innocent does not become you, dear lass.”

Och, she could slug the rogue if it were not that Nesta would tell everyone and it would get back to James. Then he’d want to know why she had struck his cousin. She was certain James would not appreciate his cousin’s teasing her. She wanted to ask Niall what he meant, but she didn’t truly want to hear what she feared everyone was saying.

“Nesta, straighten the chamber.”

Niall motioned to the guest chamber.

“Aye, my laird.”

Furrowing her brow, Nesta didn’t look happy to be dismissed.

After he shut the chamber door, he led Eilis to James’s chamber, and her heart beat wildly. Surely he did not think she had succumbed to James’s charms and now would Niall’s? In James’s own chamber, for heaven’s sakes?

Niall shut James’s door. “Who is Fia?”

He leaned against the solid wood, his arms folded.

She couldn’t have been more surprised when he asked about Fia and apparently had no notion of attempting to seduce her. Her heart slowed with the realization.

He was handsome and arrogant, just like James, but she would not be forced to say a thing. How could she? She didn’t have a clue who Fia was.

“The lady in Glen Affric?”

Niall persisted. “She has kin who married into Eanruig’s line. I did not get the whole story because James and Eanruig had to rush off—”

“Why?”

“His brother, Dougald, is long overdue in arriving here.”

Her mouth dropped, and the notion that his brother might be in trouble made her forget her own woes for the moment. “His brother? What of the others?”

“They were still at Castle Brecken. But Dougald traveled with Gunnolf, a friend, and both are missing.”

“I…I am sorry.”

“Aye, so about this Fia…”

“I do not know any Fia.”

Niall cast her a small smile. “Somehow, lass, I knew you would say that.”

He gave her a nonchalant shrug. “Then I will have to wait until Eanruig returns to hear the whole story.”

“Do you not worry about Dougald and the other?”

“Nay. I fear more for whoever tangles with the two of them.”

Niall escorted her to her chamber and bowed his head. “Until later, lass. Although without James around, I imagine you will not become indisposed again.” He smiled. “Lady Catriona will be a terror when she sees you.”

He shut the door on his departure, and as soon as he did, Nesta began talking. “’Tis a shame about Dougald and Gunnolf. I hope His Lairdship finds them in one piece, or there will be another battle waged like the one twenty summers ago when I was but a wee lass. ‘Twas a horrible thing with heavy losses on both…”

Someone knocked on the door.

“…sides. We have been fortunate not to have another one so terrible as that.”

Nesta opened the door and curtsied.

Her face flushed, Nighinn walked into the chamber without invitation. Her blue eyes still glittered with menace. Since she was James’s cousin, Eilis didn’t feel she had any right in telling the woman to go away. Yet that’s what she would have done had the circumstances been different.

“Fetch us some mead,”

Nighinn ordered Nesta.

Nesta glanced at Eilis, her dark eyes worried, but then she hurriedly obeyed.

When the door closed, Nighinn remained standing, her hands clenched tightly together. “I have learned from the servants that James is keeping you under guard in this chamber. Why, if you are seeking James’s hand, would that be so?”

“Mayhap His Lairdship is concerned I will have unwelcome visitors to my chamber.”

The woman’s lips lifted slightly, but her eyes remained flat. “Mayhap ‘tis because you are his prisoner. ‘Twould be in my best interest to help you leave here. He should not be keeping you against your will.”

Hope skittered through Eilis that she might have a chance to leave this place far behind. But she really didn’t trust James’s cousin. On the other hand, she might not have any better means of escape. Rashly, she said, “I accept.”

And prayed she wouldn’t regret her hasty decision.

For the first time since Eilis had met her, Nighinn gave her a full-fledged smile. It wasn’t a pleasant smile, rather one borne of contempt, with a hint of greedy design. “Excellent. Niall is looking for someone to serve as your guard. Come with me to my chamber before Nesta returns. You can change into my riding gown and cloak, and I will have one of my men escort you in whichever direction you wish to take. As long as ‘tis far away from here. Let us no’ tarry any longer.”

Eilis should have been elated to be able to leave without James’s knowledge so why was she having a sliver of a doubt? Then she reminded herself he wanted Catriona. Nighinn could ensure Catriona wanted James in return. Or not. It was his problem, not Eilis’s.

She had far worse considerations, finding a safe haven before James and his people learned who she truly was and turned her over to her kin.

****

In Nighinn’s guestchamber, Eilis quickly changed out of Jame’s sister’s gown and into the brown woolen traveling kirtle Nighinn had worn. The fabric gaped at her bodice, and the hem of the skirt puddled in folds at her feet. Worse, it smelled of sweat and horse.

Nighinn’s frown deepened. “Ye will have to use the belt to tighten the garment around ye.”

She tsked. “I can see James would no’ wish such a bony bride. But do hurry or Niall will discover our…ploy.”

Eilis touched the belt since it belonged to James’s sister. She didn’t wish to take anything with her, just as she didn’t want to take the lady’s clothes. But Nighinn’s gown would fall off if she didn’t secure it with the belt.

Nighinn fingered a brown woolen cloak. “It pains me to have to give away my favorite traveling clothes. Although I…have no choice.”

She shoved it at Eilis. “Hurry, put it on.” She motioned to her maid. “Tell Cyn to gather two more men and ready four horses. Have him speak with me at once.”

“Aye, my lady.”

The maid rushed out of the chamber.

Nighinn wrung her hands.

Her own stomach fluttering with anxiety, Eilis went to the window and peered out at the inner bailey below. Niall would surely stop her before she even left the keep.

“Come on.”

Nighinn strode for the door. “We will meet my men at the stable.” She jerked her head around. “Wear the cloak and hide your face, for heaven’s sake.”

After they left the chamber, she led Eilis down a set of back stairs. Despite her rounded figure, Nighinn stalked through the keep at a rapid pace, her focus straight ahead.

Servants glanced in their direction, and Eilis feared someone would warn Niall she was about to escape. No one made a move to stop them, apparently not recognizing her, thank the heavens. Before long, Nighinn and Eilis were beyond the keep.

Dark clouds covered the sky, and the air was laden with moisture. Wind whipped about linens hanging to dry.

“You might get a rain,”

Nighinn warned, her words pleased. “Cyn, you will take the lady to…” Nighinn paused, when a couple of stable boys milled about within earshot. The rest of the conversation she spoke low so that even Eilis could not hear her words.

What if James’s cousin wished her men to murder Eilis, not just remove her from the castle? She was about to change her mind when Cyn glanced at her then looked back at Nighinn and gave a sharp nod.

Before Eilis could react, Cyn whipped around, grasped her by the waist, and lifted her onto a saddle. Nighinn turned and scurried back into the keep without a backward glance.

“Come,”

Cyn gruffly ordered. “Away with us at once.”

Mounted, they trotted out of the bailey. The hood of Nighinn’s cloak sufficiently hid Eilis’s face as she rode between the other two men in the escort while Cyn led the way. Were the men posted on the wall walk watching their progress? Would someone stop them?

“Hold, mon!”

a gruff male voice snapped, motioning to Cyn.

A tremble slivered down Eilis’s spine.

“Lady Nighinn wishes a ride,”

Cyn said. “Let us pass.”

Eilis kept her lashes lowered and avoided looking at the men who had stopped them.

“Ride not far from here as Dunbarton’s men are wreaking havoc at the MacNeill borders.”

“Aye, only a short ride.”

Cyn again drove his horse forth, the rest of her escort and Eilis cantering to catch up. Eilis wasn’t sure if she should be relieved she’d made it this far or more concerned.

As soon as they left the outer bailey, she rode up to join Cyn. “Where did Nighinn tell you to escort me?”

“The nearest village. From there, ye will have to make your own way.”

Sour faced, scraggly like a horny toad, his lips thinned and his eyes ice blue with contempt, Cyn stared straight ahead and said not another word.

The cold forced another shiver through her as she huddled closer to her horse. A crack of thunder broke overhead, and Eilis stifled a gasp. Then the deluge of rain began. Her head bowed, she tried to keep the rain from dripping over the hood into her eyes, but the winds whipped this way and that and, after several minutes, it ran down her throat into Nighinn’s gaping gown.

“Will you show me the way to Glen Affric?”

Mayhap she could find Fia, her memories, and a way out of this mess.

“Aye, I will point out the way from the village.”

And then he spoke no more. She was too cold to care and concentrated on clutching the cloak to her throat, trying to keep the rainwater from running down the gown any further.

But a couple of hours into their journey, riding through soggy heather in the glen with the rain pounding relentlessly, she glanced about to see where Cyn was. Gone. She looked back over her shoulder. All of the men had slipped away.