The Accidental Highland Hero (The Highlanders #2)

Chapter Eleven

A mixture of relief and worry consumed Eilis. They’d want to hang her for attempting escape. But at least word about James’s brother would reach him. Ahead of the group of men, Niall rode, his face scowling.

“Lady,”

Niall said through clenched teeth, but he didn’t say anything more. He leaned down and scooped into his lap. “James has his hands full with you. Are you injured?”

“You must tell him about his brother.”

“He will be told, but he will wish that you are taken care of first.”

He nodded to the goat herder as he dismounted from one of the men’s horses. “Thanks be to you, Everett. James will reward you well.”

“’Tis reward enough to find his missus and give news of his brother and the Viking.”

“Aye,”

Niall agreed.

“Wolves tried to kill one of the goats,”

Eilis warned.

“Aye, and you beat them off with rocks. You would make a laird proud if you defended his castle half as well when he was away on business.”

Niall turned to his men. “Take care of the wolves.” Then he tightened his hold around Eilis’s waist and galloped to Craigly as four of the men tore off for the woods and the rest escorted Eilis back. “Have you injuries, my lady?”

“My feet hurt something fierce.”

“Then I will leave you with our healer and Lady Akira.”

“But what about Dougald and Gunnolf?”

“How is it that you came to know about them?”

“I came upon them in a cave. But Dunbarton’s men found them and took them hostage again.”

“’Tis fortunate they did not discover the real treasure.”

“Och, James will not think me a treasure but his worst nightmare.”

Niall smiled.

****

Dougald clasped his hands behind his head as he reclined on the filthy straw again, his chains clinking. He stared at the gray stone ceiling, praying the lass reached a safe place, that James found her and returned her to Craigly soon.

“Another plan, Dougald?”

Gunnolf asked from the cell across from his.

“I am considering other options.”

“Think you the lass is safely with James by now?”

“I pray that it is so.”

Gunnolf grunted. “I did not believe you were thinking about how we would get out of our current predicament.”

“Do not tell me you were thinking of means of escape, either.”

“Think you James has interest in the lass?”

Gunnolf asked, his voice amused.

“If he has not…”

Dougald let Gunnolf come to his own conclusions.

“Aye. Mayhap the lass would be interested in a strong Viking.”

Dougald laughed. “We know not whether James has made her his charge and if he wishes more of a relationship than that.”

“Aye. So let me know as soon as you quit thinking about the bonny lass and come up with a plan.”

****

‘Twas early eve when Niall rode out to see James. His cousin’s expression was hard, his jaw taut

James feared the worst. Yet, not only had Niall lost Eilis when he should have guarded her like his treasury, but he was supposed to be in charge of the castle should anything untoward happen to James. “You are expected to be—”

“’Tis Eilis, my laird. Rather rumpled but well when she returned on foot to Craigly.”

A torrent of emotions washed over James—relief, anger, joy, irritation—and he could not segregate them to deal with any. He clenched his teeth. “What happened?”

Rumpled could mean a lot of things, and his imagination was already running away with him.

“She told us Dunbarton’s men have Dougald and Gunnolf. They were bruised and cut but well otherwise when she discovered them in a cave. She was beside herself with self-loathing, claiming if she had not tethered Nighinn’s horse outside the cave, the Dunbartons would not have found your brother.”

“Nay, they would have searched every cave in the area before long.”

“I told her thus, but she feared she had delayed them overmuch because they worried about her well-being.”

James turned to Fergus. “Have our men return home. Now that we know Dunbarton has taken our men hostage, I will have to negotiate for their safe return. Naught more we can do now.”

And for now, he had other extremely pressing matters as well. A word with Eilis, and he hoped like the devil Niall wasn’t hiding her true condition from him. And he’d have several words with Nighinn and his aunt before he sent them on their way.

****

As soon as James and his party returned to Craigly, women raced out to greet their husbands or sons. Notably absent was his mother, Aunt Beatrice, Nighinn, and Eilis. He glanced up at Eilis’s chamber window, but there was no sign of anyone. More than concerned, James dismounted while the stable boy grabbed the reins.

In a rush, James headed for the keep.

“She is in Lady Akira’s chamber as it has only one door and no other means of escape,”

Niall explained, hurrying to join James.

Ian wasn’t far behind.

“The only place safe for the lady to reside is a locked room.”

James stalked inside. “I want a bath prepared.”

“Aye, I will tell the servants,”

Ian said and hurried off.

As much as James had wanted Niall to obey his command to remain at Craigly at all costs, he understood Niall’s actions. And approved.

Although James needed a bath, a meal, and a few hours sleep, he had to see Eilis for himself, to know she was safe. He sighed. She would most likely have never made it to wherever she intended; however, he couldn’t help admire her for giving up her freedom to return and give him news of his brother’s whereabouts. “I need to speak with Eanruig about ransoming Dougald and Gunnolf.”

“Aye,”

Niall agreed.

James stalked in the direction of Lady Akira’s chamber while Niall kept up the pace beside him. James glanced at him. “You need not accompany me.”

“Is that an order, cousin?”

James snorted. “I thought I gave you an order to stay here. Why did you not send a messenger in your place?”

“I had to tell you the lass was safe, and your brother was being held prisoner. No messenger would do.”

“Aye, and I am glad for it.”

Niall gave him a worried look. “You will not be too hard on the lass?”

James lifted a brow and considered his cousin’s serious face. “Mean you Eilis or our cousin?”

“Not Nighinn—the devil with her. Eilis I am meaning.”

“The lass gave up her freedom to warn me of Dougald’s imprisonment. Why should I be angry with her?”

“She escaped.”

James clenched his fists. Aye, he was angered with her for her actions. Couldn’t she see how dangerous her efforts had been? ‘Twould not do to show great relief when he saw her, or she might misconstrue his meaning. He was damned angry with her.

“She is not ill from the weather yesterday?”

“Nay, not this time. She has the heart of a lion, though.”

James glanced at his cousin to see his meaning when he didn’t readily offer an explanation.

Niall smiled broadly. “She single-handedly fought off a pair of wolves that tried to take down a goat under her watchful eye.”

“With her bare hands?”

“Rocks, actually.”

“A goat?”

“Aye. Everett’s goats. He came to warn me about your brother and get help for the lady while she watched his goats. She will make a fine battle maid should a laird wish to wed her and have need of her when he must leave the castle in her hands.”

“With rocks.”

James shook his head. He couldn’t think of any lass who would be brave enough to fend off wolves for the sake of a goat. But his stomach clenched when he thought of how the wolves might have killed her.

Reaching the door to his mother’s chamber, James knocked, and the ladies’ voices within grew silent. Footsteps approached; the door opened. Nesta curtsied, but avoided James’s look. She was not at fault. Nighinn had dismissed her, but he could see Nesta felt she had done wrong just the same.

“A word with you, Eilis, if you please,”

James said, unable to keep his eyes off her. Despite what Niall had said, her cheeks were colorless, her green eyes avoided his, she wrung her hands in her lap, and looked like she was about to be led to the hangman’s noose.

“Eilis,”

he said again, displeased he had to speak more firmly than he had intended.

She rose stiffly from the bench and only then did he realize she probably ached from being out in the inhospitable weather and all the walking and running on foot she must have endured. He noticed then her feet were bandaged, and she wore no shoes.

He cursed to himself then strode across the floor and lifted her off her feet. She gasped, but so did the rest of the ladies. His mother gave him a look to mind his temper. The other ladies’ mouths gaped.

Niall grinned at him.

With the lass secure in his tight embrace and glad she appeared well otherwise, James stalked to the guest chamber with Niall at his side. “I want a guard posted.”

Although he did not believe the lass was physically capable of any further escape attempts at the moment. “When I am through speaking with the lady, have Nesta join her.”

“And our cousin?”

“I will speak to her and my aunt after my bath. I will pen a missive also concerning the ransom for my brother and Gunnolf as well.”

“Aye. Did…you want me to remain here?”

“Shut the door on your way out.”

Niall shook his head. “I surmise even if she is not from the enemy clan you do not want me to have her for myself.”

James smiled to himself. His cousin surmised right. The door clunked shut, and James sat Eilis on one of the benches.

She said, “I am sorry—”

James raised his hand to silence her. “None of us could locate my brother and Gunnolf. But you managed when we all failed. I am grateful—”

“Because of me, he was caught,”

she insisted.

The woman was a contradiction—sweet and innocent, yet protective— and…och, the lass would be his undoing. James leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Because of you, I know my brother is alive and well. Tell me what happened. And spare no details.”

He was certain when Eilis spoke of what had happened she left out a few details. She said her brother and Gunnolf wore rags and were unarmed which accounted for them not fighting Dunbarton’s men. But also they had kept her safe. However, he knew his brother would not have allowed her to wear wet clothes all eve. The thought soured the mead in his belly. Although he was dying to know every detail, he’d get it out of Dougald once he’d paid his ransom rather than embarrass the lass any further.

“I knew he was your brother as soon as I saw him. Younger, his hair and eyes not quite as dark, but he had the same smile, the same sparkle in his eyes.”

She was describing Dougald when he attempted to seduce a lass. Mayhap himself as well. James fought the possessiveness he invariably suffered when it came to Eilis.

He intended to wed Catriona! He had no business feeling anything for the lass he knew so little about.

“Nighinn apologized to me several times already,”

she continued.

“She lied to Niall.”

“She was afraid you would be angry.”

“She would be right.”

Eilis reached out and took James’s hand. “She only wanted to be your wife.”

Her touch stirred feelings of want and desire. And yet betwixt the two women, James wanted Eilis. He shook his head of the dangerous thought. “She lost that chance when she aided your escape and could have gotten you killed. She is my cousin so I will do naught but send her home in disgrace.”

“I am sorry.”

“Do not be, Eilis. I must bathe then take care of this other business. Are you hungry? I am famished. We will eat after a wee bit, lass. Rest until then.”

He lifted her off the bench and carried her to the bed. She couldn’t have slept much after her ordeal, although she smelled springtime fresh and wore a new gown.

He smelled like his horse. “Famished,”

he said, thinking how wonderful she looked and how he had to get his mind off the lass and back to where it belonged, seeking a marriage agreement with Catriona and freeing his brother and Gunnolf.

****

Although his cousin apologized to him in his solar and so did his Aunt Beatrice, James could barely stand the sight of them. Nighinn’s blue eyes were red and her face blotched. Fresh tears trailed down her cheeks. Her distress would not dissuade him from sending her away, considering the seriousness of her actions.

“I am sure you know how I feel about this matter. Had Eilis died…”

He couldn’t say any more without revealing how truly angry he was. “You and your mother will leave with your escort without delay.”

“But, my laird…”

his aunt said.

“Not a word,”

James commanded to Aunt Beatrice. “My decision stands.”

After Nighinn, who was in tears, and his aunt, her face hard as granite, left, James’s mother joined him, her brow furrowed. She appeared as though she hadn’t had any sleep either. “Do you think it wise to be considering two women in your pursuit of marriage when Catriona arrives?”

“Two women? Nighinn is leaving.”

“I have heard you have fetched a companion of Eilis’s. A maid named Fia.”

Aye. He couldn’t suppress the overwhelming need he had to learn who Eilis truly was. Besides, mayhap Fia would help Eilis to recall her memories faster. Wouldn’t that be best for all concerned?

“Catriona may still delay her journey. I do not trust the lass until I see her here.”

For the first time, he found himself feeling something other than hope the lady would wish to marry him. The sooner she got here, the sooner they could get on with the business of marriage. Which was supposed to be his goal. Yet, ‘twas this business of her delaying tactics that was making him wonder why he was making the effort. There were no other bride choices he was interested in, he reminded himself.

James’s mother chewed on her lower lip. “I am concerned about Eilis’s welfare, my son. Why would the woman in the village deny she knew her?”

The more he learned about Eilis, the more mysterious she became. “That is what we are bound to discover. Did you have any success speaking with Allison, concerning the way she reacted to Eilis?”

His mother shook her head. “She said she was startled to find you and the lady in the kitchen alone together.”

Her chin down, his mother gave him a pointed look like she was waiting for an explanation.

James rubbed his chin in thought then wondered—had the woman believed he was having a dalliance with Eilis in the kitchen? Mayhap that was what had shaken Lady Allison so. She might not have wished to say a word about it to his mother.

“Aye, well, if that was all the matter.”

James shrugged. Although he didn’t believe the scene between Eilis and him appeared anything more than a casual conversation. And it still seemed to him that the lady recognized Eilis and not in a good way.

Mayhap he could solicit Niall to ply his charms on the lady and learn more from her about the matter. He smiled. Aye, that should do.

“What about the missive concerning the ransom for Dougald and Gunnolf?”

“I have already sent it, my mother. If the old Dunbarton is in the least bit reasonable, he will release them at once.”

“I pray it is so. I must see to the running of the household. Please do not upset Lady Allison for naught. She has been the best of companions since she joined me a year ago. Since the happening in the kitchen, she seems ill at ease and withdrawn.”

James cleared his throat. “I was only speaking with Eilis in the kitchen, naught more.”

His mother smiled, but it wasn’t a pleasantly innocent look, rather one of calculation.

“Mother?”

She lifted her chin. “Aye. Lady Allison will not speak of it to anyone else. Nesta is the one you must be more concerned with.”

Again, his mother’s lips lifted, and she had the same willful expression. It usually meant he was in trouble.

****

Footfalls headed in the direction of Dougald’s cell, and he and Gunnolf grew silent.

A gruff man opened the door to Dougald’s cell. “Your brother offered a ransom, but my laird wishes to keep you both for a while longer. Mayhap forever.”

He grinned then slammed and locked the door.

Dougald groaned. It was time to come up with another plan.

****

Late the next day, Tavia knocked at the solar door and curtseyed to James and his mother. “Fergus asked me to tell you Eilis wished to sit in the garden before the meal.”

In haste, James rose from the chair, nearly knocking it over. He stormed across the hall. “She has tried to escape three times already.”

Chasing after him, his mother hurried to catch up, her small leather shoes slapping the floor. “She is well-guarded, my son, if Fergus is with her. And she is not going anywhere with her feet so bandaged. Although, I understand they are feeling much better. Tavia told her to keep the bandages on through the remainder of the day, though.”

Tavia nodded vigorously. “Aye, and even Niall is with her.”

James stopped and glowered at his healer. “Niall has other duties.”

Smiling, his mother said, “Aye. He told me earlier he has done them.”

Work was never done with all the rebuilding needed. James grunted and headed outside. Stalking across the grassy bailey, he spied Niall laughing, his hands on his hips, towering over Eilis seated on a bench. A fine sight it was. When everyone else had chores to do, his cousin was busy dallying with a lass?

But not any lass. James’s treasure from the sea. He scowled further.

As soon as Niall spied James, his spine stiffened. James observed two men standing a short distance away, preventing the lady’s attempt at another escape if she wished it. Two of his female servants were also tending the garden nearby, watching her, but now observing James’s approach.

“Now that you are here,”

Niall said to James, “I will see to the mending of the south wall.”

Attempting to slow his rapid pulse, James nodded. He turned his attention to Eilis, who quickly looked away from him. “Eanruig has found your lady companion in Glen Affric. He is sending an escort to bring her here to see you,”

James said, hoping to learn the truth now.

Eilis jerked her head up and looked at him. The color drained from her face, and he grabbed her arm to keep her from falling from the bench. “Are you all right, Eilis?”

Not having meant to cause her so much distress, he chastised himself.

“I…I, yes, I am…all right.”

The color returned to her bonny cheeks.

When she recovered so quickly, he tried to conceal his dark amusement.

She glanced back at the inner bailey’s castle gate, open for business during the day where his clansman entered and left at will.

Thinking of making an escape? She would go nowhere until James learned all there was about the mystifying woman who, for now, was his to protect.

He lifted her from the bench. “‘Tis time to practice our ruse before Catriona arrives, lass.”

She relaxed in his arms, and the softness of her body pressed against him stirred his desire. Like when he’d carried her heated body into the keep when she first attempted escape, he was as hard as the steel of his sword.

Attempting to think of anything other than his baser needs, he carried her to the south wall where the men were busily repairing the stones. “We had a landlash hit us a few weeks ago. The gale-force winds did a fair amount of damage as you can see. Do you remember anything about the storm? You must have been in the area at the time and have some memory of it. In truth, the ship you were on must have taken the brunt of it.”

She shook her head. “I remember only what I have already told you.”

Looking up at him, she seemed like she was being perfectly honest with him, and all at once her situation struck a chord deep inside.

She truly didn’t remember who she was and his badgering her could only further her frustration. If he had forgotten so many details of his life, even his own clan’s name, how would he feel? Lost and aggravated.

Taking a deep breath, she glanced up at Niall, his tunic thrown aside as he helped the men move another block of stone, his muscles straining beneath bronzed skin that glistened with sweat. Niall cast a look in Eilis’s direction and winked.

Eilis’s cheeks colored, and James growled deep inside. His cousin had no business trying to win Eilis’s favor, not while they didn’t know where she was from and what her marital status truly was. But Niall had a way with the ladies, and it seemed no matter how much James tried to dissuade his cousin from making a fool of himself in front of her, James would not succeed.

He carried her away from the wall and walked toward the stables. “Would you like to ride?”

“My head pains me.”

“You should have said so, lass.”

She cast him a weary smile. “Nay, I am fine otherwise. I am afraid riding would jostle my head overmuch.”

“Are you certain? We can sit inside and talk if you prefer.”

“Nay, I am tired of sitting inside. The sun feels heavenly against my face.”

And what precious skin that was, framed by red-gold curls. He wondered if all of her skin was as soft as it appeared.

Glancing at the southwest tower, he had a thought. If Eilis saw the layout of the land, would she remember anything about it?

Not knowing her past must be a terrible burden for her to bear, yet he shared her feeling. He couldn’t recall any other time when he sought some knowledge more than he did now.

He carried her to the tower stairs. “If you weary too much, Eilis, you must let me know.”

One of his soldiers greeted them halfway to the parapet. Others gathered nearby, openly smiling or hiding their amusement to an extent. “You have work to do, lads.”

“Aye, Laird.”

The men promptly obliged, but their smiles didn’t fade.

Over the stone wall, Eilis observed towering crags like pale blue mist penetrating the clear sky on the horizon. A long-tailed swallow swooped nearby. Did Eilis wish she could fly away free? He imagined so and attempted to quell the irritation that thought brought to mind.

“I do not even remember the ship I was on. How can I remember some things and not others?”

She didn’t seem distraught over the missing memories, only drained.

Running the back of his hand over her silky cheek, he knew instantly he treaded dark waters. She stirred in him the desire to have a wife by choice instead of by duty to his clan, the first time any woman had encouraged the feeling. Pulling his hand away as if she had burned him, he attempted to get his feelings under control. “Do you remember Fia?”

She shook her head and again seemed to be telling the truth.

He took a heavy breath. “Mayhap the lady will help bring back your memories.”

“I fear that bringing her here will alert my family,”

Eilis said in a small voice.

But he could not believe she would know such a thing if she remembered not who her family was. He thought it was just her vivid imagination from her memories not returning. Yet, a small nagging at the back of his mind warned him to consider she might be right.