The Accidental Highland Hero (The Highlanders #2)

Chapter Twelve

The next day, James paced across the great hall, ready to do battle with Dunbarton. He glowered at Ian. “Say again what the brigand told you.”

His cheeks as red as a fiery sunset, Ian clenched his fists until they were white. “Aye, my laird. Dunbarton was well into his cups. Mayhap that was some of the trouble. But he said he found a couple of wild animals in a cave, no brother of yours. If he discovers Dougald and Gunnolf, he will give them a well-appointed chamber abovestairs, the finest meats and mead, and song to please them. If he finds them. And then ye can do business with him.”

James ground his teeth. “The bastard.”

“Aye. If his men had not removed my sword before I had audience with Dunbarton, I would have run him through.”

James slapped Ian on the shoulder. “Nay, we need you. What would I do without you fighting my battles for me?”

Ian gave a slight smile then scowled again. “I wanted to bring Dougald and Gunnolf out of the dungeon and show Dunbarton that we knew they were there all along.”

“Aye, me and you both. We will have to take care of this in another way.”

“I will be happy to assist in any way, my laird.”

“Aye.”

Ian bowed and took his leave.

How could Dunbarton not accept James’s charitable ransom offer for his brother and Gunnolf? ‘Twas a travesty his brother and their friend should have to suffer so.

But as much as James would like to take up arms against Dunbarton, storming the castle would only bring death to many of James’s kinsmen. And they would still not be able to breach the stone walls. Laying siege and starving Dunbarton’s people would take too long.

Niall hurried into the hall. “I hear Dunbarton refuses to name a suitable ransom.”

“Aye, but mayhap we could play his own game.”

“Take one of his people hostage? But who?”

“I have heard it rumored his bastard son, Keary, has returned. Mayhap we could give him a room at Craigly, if we could capture him.”

Then James caught sight of Eilis as she entered the hall with Fergus in tow, her step steady. The woman was uncommonly bonny, and the more he saw of her, the more he…

He cursed softly. The woman was like a breath of a summer breeze, fresh and silky soft, warming him to the deepest part of his soul. Every time he saw her, he was reminded of the way she reacted to his kisses—sweet and innocent, yet a tigress lurked within. She wanted more, and he sure wanted to oblige.

He tried to imagine Catriona that way, but she… Well, what was she truly like?

Not sweet and innocent, that was for certain. And as for being a tigress, she was more like a cat, prickly sometimes, friendly when she wanted to be.

He watched Eilis walking aimlessly, stretching her legs, but with no real objective. Until she spied Lady Allison and headed straight for her with purpose in her stride. He narrowed his eyes. What was it about the two women and the reaction they had to one another?

Fergus was about to stalk after Eilis but caught James’s eye. James motioned for him to hold back. Let the women speak their mind. With his arms crossed over his chest, James would observe and hope to glean something from their interaction. Knowing Niall’s nature, he was just as curious, although James hoped Eilis wouldn’t notice them both watching her.

As soon as Eilis caught sight of Lady Allison alone, she hurried to speak to her, effectively leaving Fergus behind. At least she didn’t hear his heavy footsteps, and she wasn’t about to look back and catch his attention. She was certain her expression would appear as guilty as she felt.

Although she knew he’d soon realize his mistake and catch up to her.

But she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. In the instant she’d seen Allison here, she recalled where she knew the lady from. Joining the lady, Eilis smiled broadly. “Lady Allison, I remember now where I have seen you before. You served Lady Anice of Brecken Castle, aye?”

The woman’s eyes rounded, and she looked most stricken.

“’Tis true then,”

Eilis excitedly said. “You remember me? I cannot recall how we met, but it seems there was some trouble and…” Eilis looked down at the floor, trying to piece the memories back together, but no matter how hard she strained to remember, they eluded her. Except for one. She looked back up at the lady. “Your name was Amber. Why did you change your name?”

Allison took Eilis’s hands in hers and begged, “Tell no one, Lady Eilis. ‘Tis true, but…”

She shook her head, tears building in her eyes.

“Why? What have you to fear?”

When Allison would not reveal the reason for her distress, Eilis continued. “Did you free Dougald and Gunnolf from Dunbarton’s stronghold?”

“We must not speak of this here,”

Allison said, her voice hushed as she glanced around the keep.

“Allison, how did you get into Dunbarton’s castle?”

“My brother is—”

As he must have realized he had lost Eilis, Fergus stalked across the keep in her direction, and Allison pulled away.

“Wait! You must tell me. How can we free Dougald and his companion?”

“Nay! ‘Tis no’ possible. They would suspect me if I tried the same ruse again.”

“Another plan? What else can we—”

Allison glanced at Fergus as he grew closer. “None other, my lady. ‘Tis the way of things. I must go.”

She whipped around and headed out of the hall.

Her heart in her throat, Eilis wanted to speak with Allison further, to learn of her ties to Dunbarton and to James’s people, and why she knew her as Amber at Lady Anice’s castle. What trouble had they encountered that Eilis…well, she could not recall. Only that there had been trouble and both she and Amber had been in the midst of it.

Fergus folded his arms and planted himself next to Eilis, his gaze focused on Allison’s retreating backside. Och, would he tell James of the talk Eilis had with Allison? Of the woman’s strange actions?

“Where do you wish to go now?”

he asked Eilis.

She straightened her back and peered up at the veritable giant, giving her best scowl. He seemed only slightly amused. “To the village. I have need of cloth and thread.”

It was high time she made a gown for herself and returned James’s sister’s garments.

Fergus raised his brows. “I will have someone fetch them for you.”

“Nay,”

she snapped. ‘Twould be her gown and she had intended to make her own choice. “I must see the fabric myself. Ask Laird James if he will permit me to visit the village—well, with a suitable escort, of course.”

“What is it you wish of me, my lady?”

James asked, joining her from behind.

She turned to face him, her heart skipping beats. “I wish to make a gown of my own. If you would but permit me to go to the village and choose the fabric.”

James offered a small frown then bowed his head. “I will escort you.”

She sighed. She’d hoped Allison could accompany her and she’d be able to learn more about the woman. But not if James stayed by her side.

“Naught would please me more.”

She hoped her smile looked genuine.

He studied her for a moment. “When would you wish to…”

“Now…if it pleases you, my laird. I wish to begin working on my gown at once.”

“Aye.”

Without taking his eyes off her, James gave the orders. “Fergus, gather a suitable escort. Ask Lady Akira if she would care to join us.”

“Aye, my laird.”

Fergus hurried off.

James swept his hand down Eilis’s arm. “You are welcome to wear my sister’s gowns.”

“I…I thank you for your kindness, but I wish to have a gown to call my own.”

“They are yours for as long as you wish them, Eilis.”

James’s expression changed subtly from sympathetic to concerned. But he didn’t say what bothered him about her request, and she was afraid to ask.

Lady Akira hurried down the stairs to join them with three of her ladies trailing behind. Although she smiled at James, when she acknowledged Eilis, she wore the same worried expression.

“I have not been to the village in a fortnight. Tavia wishes to see a villager who has just given birth. And the rest of us will accompany Eilis to the fabric stalls,”

Lady Akira said.

James bowed his head to his mother. “Aye, with me as escort.”

“Of course, my laird.”

His mother patted his arm. “As it should be.”

Did they think Eilis planned to escape on the outing? She knew there was no chance of that. And for once, she had no plans in that regard.

After the horses were readied and the party mounted, they headed out of the bailey while Fergus and a couple of men led the force and several more followed behind. James drew his horse closer to Eilis’s as the rest of the ladies rode behind them. “Do you recall anything more about your past, Eilis?”

She lowered her lashes. “Nay.”

He nodded but didn’t believe her. “Naught more about Lady Allison?”

Eilis glanced at him, the fear in her eyes evident. He knew she remembered more. And he assumed Allison was just as worried about Eilis’s recollections.

“I…I met her once at Lady Anice’s Brecken Castle. But I remember naught more than that.”

Eilis watched his response.

Did she worry he would believe her?

“I see. I did not know she had been there.”

Eilis looked straight ahead. “I do not recall anything more.”

“She seemed most anxious.”

James waited for Eilis’s reaction before he spoke further.

Eilis twisted her mouth. “Did she?”

“Aye, when you spoke with her.”

With her brow furrowed and her mouth turned down, Eilis looked at James. “You were spying on us?”

Not meaning to, he smiled. “An unusual choice of words. Everything about you intrigues me, Eilis. When I saw you enter the great hall, I could not take my eyes off you.”

She hmpfed. “I suppose Fergus was spying on us also.”

“He was guarding you from afar, allowing you, at my behest, some privacy with the lady.”

“Then why did he approach and scare her off?”

“I wished him to hear what the two of you were speaking about when she became so concerned. Everything that anyone does under my rule is my business.”

She glowered at him. “And what did Fergus overhear?”

“I have not had the opportunity to discuss the matter with him. Mayhap you would rather enlighten me.”

She lifted her chin and looked straight ahead again.

He wasn’t surprised. “I can question Lady Allison instead. I will not be as gentle with her as I am with asking you, rest assured.”

Eilis refused to look at him. Then she ground her teeth and pursed her lips. “I know hardly anything at all.”

“Aye.”

“I…well, I cannot remember how I know her from Brecken Castle. Only that I do,”

Eilis said, exasperated.

“All right. But she took your hands and pleaded with you about something.”

“Not to tell you she had been at Brecken.”

Eilis let out her breath and turned to James. “There was some trouble. We were both in the midst of it. But I know not how or what ‘twas all about.”

“Aye. When was this?”

“I do not know.”

“A rumor has been circulating that the lady has a bastard brother who works for Dunbarton. I had not put much stock in the rumors since. She has served my mother well. But if she has ties to Dunbarton and plans some mischief…”

“Nay, she freed your brother and Gunnolf.”

James stared at Eilis. “How? When? God’s wounds, woman, if she has a way inside the castle…”

“Nay, she cannot try it again. They would kill her if they discovered she had released the prisoners the first time. You cannot ask it of her. And you must keep her secret.”

Eilis’s eyes filled with tears, and her bottom lip quivered. “I have only told you thus so that you do not harm her or put her in further peril. If Dunbarton’s men had not recaptured them because of my folly, your brother and Gunnolf would be with us now—and only because of Allison’s courageous efforts.”

But James couldn’t strictly see it that way. If the lass’s brother worked for Dunbarton, she could cause real problems. At least for James and his brothers, blood ties meant all the difference in the world.

“She is a good woman, James. I beg of you to believe me.”

“Then what trouble was she in at Brecken Castle?”

“I told you I do not recall.”

She pursed her lips and looked straight ahead, refusing another look in his direction.

Despite what Eilis assumed about Lady Allison, James could not base his leadership on the assumption the lady would not be forced into working against his people. As soon as they reached the village, he motioned for his mother to stay with Eilis. When the ladies rode toward the first of the stalls, James joined Ian, although he kept his eye on Eilis. His mother was talking to her, but Eilis glanced back at James to see what he was up to.

His mother turned and frowned at him. ‘Twas not his doing that Eilis was distracted from the business of searching for the proper fabric to make a gown.

“Ye wish to speak to me, my laird?”

Ian asked.

“Send a messenger to Malcolm and Lady Anice at Brecken Castle. I want to know what happened when Eilis and Lady Allison were there. There was some trouble. I wish to know what it was and what Lady Anice knows of Eilis. Also, have a man watch Lady Allison, where she goes, who she speaks to. She is not to leave the castle grounds unless I give her permission.”

“Aye, my laird. Is there anything else?”

“Return here afterwards.”

“Aye. I shall return.”

Ian rode back to the castle as Eilis watched.

His mother dismounted and motioned to a table filled with woolen and silk fabrics, but Eilis would neither dismount or comment on the material.

Again, his mother cast a glower James’s way.

He sighed heavily. ‘Twas the price he had to pay for being the earl.

Movement to the north of the village caught his eye, and he narrowed his eyes as he tried to make out the men tying up their horses in front of the tavern.

Just the man who would help him earn his brother and Gunnolf’s freedom. “Fergus,”

James hastily said, “leave three men to watch the women. The rest come with me. Our prey is straight ahead.”

“Dunbarton’s bastard son, Keary?”

Fergus asked. “But he will not even acknowledge him as his son.”

“’Tis true, but what if he had a change of heart since his wives died without issue? We will take the chance and see what comes of the exchange.”

Fergus bowed his head. “As you wish, my laird.”

James led his men toward the tavern—to where Keary undoubtedly intended to drink himself into a stupor. Mayhap to go wenching as well. The only admirable quality the man had was that he fought well in the Crusade.

Which only made his da angrier that he had abandoned him and not stood by his side in the fight against the MacNeill. Another quality that James admired.

“In there.”

James motioned to the Hawk and Boar Tavern where Keary’s horse was tethered along with the mounts of his five companions.

James and his kin outnumbered them two to one, although he hoped the men would go quietly without any bloodshed.

He leapt from his horse, draped his horse’s reins over the post, and stalked toward the entrance tavern, unsheathing his sword at the same time. His men quickly followed suit and joined him.

****

Eilis clenched and unclenched her hands, too upset to look at the fabrics now that she had told Allison’s secrets. Although she did not reveal the name Allison had gone by at Brecken Castle. But she suspected that despite telling him all she knew, he would still now interrogate the poor lady. Mayhap he had sent Ian to do the job. She groaned inwardly.

She glanced at Lady Akira who was trying her best to cheer her, smiling and waving at fabrics. But all Eilis could think about was poor Allison. And what a heroic woman she’d been. For what? She’d risked her life for Dougald and Gunnolf and now would have earned both Dunbarton and James’s wrath.

“Lady Eilis, what about the red wool? They dyed it with Lady’s bedstraw yestereve, and the color is quite lovely, do you not think?”

“Aye,”

Eilis said, her response half-hearted. Until she noticed James and his men leave the women to fend for themselves with only three guards watching over them. “Where does James go?”

“He undoubtedly has business in the village. Naught we have to concern ourselves with.”

Although Lady Akira attempted to appear unmoved by her son’s disappearance, she threaded her fingers through her long hair and glanced back in the direction James and his men had gone. The other ladies had stopped shopping and looked about for the men.

Eilis assumed something was amiss and it didn’t bode well.