The Accidental Highland Hero (The Highlanders #2)

Chapter Fourteen

Below stairs in the great hall, James intercepted the priest as soon as he arrived, delaying the inevitable, while his mother searched for just the right gown to have Eilis married in. Here, James did not know which clan Eilis truly belonged, whether she was betrothed, or even already wed. But complicating matters, Catriona was due to arrive at anytime, thinking she would be his betrothed.

Ian waited nearby, ready to do James’s further bidding.

“Niall called you here before I have need of your services, Father,”

James said to the robed old man whose face was heavily wrinkled as if a river of tears had carved lines into the skin.

“Lady Akira said you have finally decided on a bride choice and that it is most urgent you proceed with the marriage.”

So Niall must have informed the old priest some of the reason for the urgency. James stiffened his spine. He would have a word with Niall shortly. “Aye, well, circumstances make it necessary to delay this wedding for a time.”

The priest narrowed his gray eyes. “Lady Akira insisted it was most pressing.”

“Later,”

James said, with authority in his tone.

His mother hurried into the hall, her eyes sparkling with delight and a hint of a smile played on her lips.

“You have good news, I pray.”

And not that she believed James would marry Eilis without knowing her family name.

His mother smiled broadly. “Aye. The young lady, Fia, just arrived. The one who knows Eilis. One of our servants hid beneath Eilis’s bed while the lady was in my chamber and will eavesdrop on their private conversation.”

James raised his brows, turned to the priest, and said, “Later, Father. I may need you sooner than I thought. Partake of the meal with us, and the wedding will have to take place later.”

The priest nodded and left the hall. Ian said to him, “Mead and something to eat, Father, if it pleases you? Come, see how the south wall progresses in the meantime.”

James leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek. “You have the devil in you, my lady mother.”

“Aye, now you know where you and your brothers get it from.”

“And here I always thought we got it from da.”

Eanruig escorted Fia into the hall, and James considered the way the lady looked from the top of her head to the hem of her brown woolen gown. She was small like Eilis and his mother, fine-boned, but sturdy looking. Her hair and eyes were dark brown and her skin more peach. Where Eilis’s face was small, Fia’s was longer, more determined.

Eanruig was right. The two ladies did not favor one another, except for the small smile that lighted her lips. Well, and the doe-like eyes the two had also. Her gaze flitted to James, and she quickly curtsied, her cheeks flushed with color. In that respect, she looked like Eilis also. Mayhap they were related after all.

With a smile, Lady Akira greeted Fia and motioned for her to come with her. “You say you do not know Eilis, yet our seneschal said he saw the two of you together last summer.”

The color washed out of Fia’s cheeks. James was certain Eanruig had guessed right.

They climbed the stairs while James followed some distance behind.

“Your seneschal was mistaken, my lady,”

the woman said, her tone curt, but nervous.

“Aye, well, Eanruig is very observant when it comes to the beauty of fine lasses. He said that you and Eilis fairly shined as bright as the sun.”

Fia glanced back at James, her cheeks properly blushing. James withheld a smile, hoping the lass would soon confess the truth. Once he learned Eilis’s true name, the lady would be his.

A servant hurried to open the door to Eilis’s chamber. He knew his mother had the matter concerning Eilis and Fia well at hand.

Time for James to get back to the business of freeing his brother and Gunnolf. He headed for the chamber where Allison and the rest of his mother’s ladies-in-waiting stayed. When he reached the door, Niall greeted him outside the chamber. “I have spoken with Lady Allison. She says she has never been to Brecken. That Eilis was mistaken.”

“Allison lies.”

Niall let out his breath. “As for having any relation at Dunbarton’s castle, Allison denies this as well. She also states that she did not release Dougald and Gunnolf.”

“And you believe her?”

James didn’t know what to think concerning the lass’s involvement with freeing his brother and Gunnolf. Mayhap that was a bit of a stretch.

Niall shook his head. “Not a word. She looked guilty as Dougald would when your da caught him stealing a kiss from a maid a’ milking the first time. What about Eilis? Will you wed the lass?”

“Fia is here now.”

Niall smiled. “Then we shall soon know Eilis’s clan. Then you will take her to wife?”

“What if she is betrothed?”

“Seems to me the betrothal will be for naught.”

Ian hurried to join them. “Lady Akira wishes you to join her for the meal.”

“And? Did she say anything…”

James took a deep breath. “I shall learn the truth soon enough. Come, let us eat.”

He hoped like the devil the woman was not already wed, for that would be the only situation that would thwart him in his marriage plans. For her sake, Catriona should have come when he’d asked long ago. He smiled.

Now ‘twas too late.

****

Eilis attempted to embroider away her nervousness as she waited for Lady Akira to return with yet another gown she wished Eilis to consider wearing for wedding James. How could she marry him without knowing who she truly was? James and his mother could not force such a state on her. The priest could not do so without knowing her family’s name. At least she didn’t think so. Unless they made up a name for her. If they did, would the marriage be valid? Mayhap not.

She set aside her embroidery, stood, then stalked to the window. Keary, bastard son of Dunbarton, and his friends, though one less now, still worked on the south wall.

What if James did marry her despite her lack of name? Would he wish his rights as her husband?

Och. She wrung her hands. He could not. If they consummated the relationship, she would be spoiled for any other man.

Keary helped lift another stone in place with several others. Where was the missing man? The one who had been eyeing the wagon carrying the barrels? Now the wagon was gone. Had he escaped in one of the kegs?

The door opened to Eilis’s chamber, and her heart skipped a beat. She swung around, expecting Lady Akira and a servant with yet another gown. Instead, Fia entered the room, while Lady Akira and Tavia hovered outside with Fergus.

Eilis gasped, “Fia.”

Thank God, she recognized her favorite cousin, her dark brown hair flowing over her shoulders in satiny curls, her chestnut eyes bright with tears.

For a moment, neither said anything because of their audience, although it took all Eilis’s restraint not to rush across the room and embrace her cousin.

“Come, let us leave the ladies to visit alone,”

Lady Akira said to Tavia with a smile. “The meal shall be ready shortly.”

Once the door shut, Eilis and Fia raced across the floor and hugged one another, both sobbing.

Fia said between choking tears, “You were…were dead. Eanruig came to our village and said so. I thought I would never see you again.”

The memories flooded back at once. In horror, Eilis remembered her clan’s name. MacBurness. And her uncle’s mission. Marry her off to Dunbarton while she pretended to be her uncle’s daughter.

Och, what if James could ransom her for Dougald and Gunnolf’s release, ignoring the fact she wasn’t truly betrothed to Dunbarton? Why not? She could see how important his brother was to him, and blood would come first over interest in some lassie he knew not. Besides, he still had Catriona.

“You have not heard the half of it.”

Disheartened, Eilis slumped onto the cushion covering the bench.

God’s teeth, if Dunbarton’s men had known she, who was supposed to be his betrothed, was in the company of James’s brother unchaperoned, he probably would have killed them.

Fia lowered her gaze to the rushes on the floor.

“You have heard.”

“Aye, Eilis. Everyone who is kin to you has been told you are Agnes and shall wed Dunbarton.”

“I will not.”

Wringing her hands, Fia said, “You must. You cannot think to avoid it.”

Eilis slumped further on the bench. “I will not marry him.”

“You are betrothed to him.”

“Never I! Agnes was, and she died of a fever.”

Fia let out her breath in exasperation. “Aye, but anyone who denies you are Agnes will be banished or worse.”

“Does my uncle know I am still alive?”

“Rumors abound. Although when Eanruig came looking for me, he only told me he had found you. Still, I fear word may reach our uncle that inquiries were made concerning you. Once he learns you live, you will not be able to escape your marriage.”

“Agnes’s marriage!”

Eilis jumped up from the bench, paced across the room, then stopped and faced her cousin. “Will you not tell Laird James I am Agnes’s cousin?”

Her eyes wide, Fia quickly shook her head. “Nay. I cannot. And you would best heed our uncle’s words also.”

Eilis clenched her teeth to combat the exasperation she felt. ‘Twould be best if her cousin—who would not help her with her cause—knew naught about what Eilis intended.

Someone knocked on the door, shattering Eilis’s composure, and she gave a small gasp. “Aye?”

The door opened, and the female servant said, “Laird James awaits your presence at the meal.”

Stalwart Fergus stood beside the door, awaiting Eilis’s compliance.

“Why do you have an armed guard?”

Fia whispered to her.

“To protect my virtue.”

Which seemed was in a shambles already.

Seizing Fia’s arm, she led her out of the chamber. She hated to lie to her cousin, but no one could be trusted who would do her uncle’s bidding.

They walked together down the stairs and strode toward the great hall. Fia cleared her throat. “His Lairdship sent word to my da that he was considering me as a bride’s choice.”

“You also?”

Eilis shook her head. “I thought he only wished you to reveal who I was.”

Fia took a deep breath and smiled in her usual cheerful manner. “Well, he only said so to please my da, but of course the real reason was he wanted to see if we knew each other.”

Eilis smiled back in return. “Aye, you were always my canny cousin. His Lairdship wishes me to make a lady jealous who is coming to see him on the morrow.”

“Make a lady envious?”

Fia shook her head. “I cannot see how that would make a lady want His Lairdship. You say she is arriving on the morrow?”

“This verra day,”

Lady Akira corrected Fia, her face beaming as she slipped in behind them. “Catriona made haste and has just arrived. I pray you and Eilis will make her work for my son’s affection.”

Upon hearing Lady Akira’s words, Eilis’s heart raced. Had Lady Akira wished to catch Eilis’s private conversation with her cousin? To discover the truth of their relationship?

Then another thought occurred to her. “Where will Catriona be staying?”

“In the chamber Nighinn and her mother stayed. Yours is far nicer. That will teach Catriona to delay her journey here. Fia will stay with you.”

Lady Akira flashed Eilis another heart-warming smile then walked with them into the great hall.

For an instant, Eilis wondered if Lady Akira had given up the notion Eilis would wed her son. After all, now the one he wished to marry was here, and Eilis was of no real importance. She would be gone, and no one would ever know she’d been found in such a compromising situation with James.

She still couldn’t believe antagonizing Catriona would help in securing a marriage agreement with James, though.

But Eilis was torn over Dougald and Gunnolf also, who had ensured her safety before they were taken prisoner again. Easily, she could offer herself in exchange for their freedom, to lie and say she was truly Agnes. Yet if Dunbarton were to find her out…och, how could she live such a lie? He might very well take her life and war with her uncle over the matter.

Then Eilis spied Catriona, and her heart nearly stopped.

Why had no one mentioned where the lady was from? She chided herself. ‘Twould not have mattered as she would probably not have remembered her anyway. But seeing the woman…her bright red curls the color of a fiery sunset and blue eyes as dark as the deepest loch, a willowy figure, and ivory skin defined her, but ‘twas her sharp tongue and mean-hearted spirit that kept most out of her path.

Seizing Fia’s arm before Catriona caught sight of them, Eilis wished she could flee the castle more than ever. “We are in trouble now.”

“Och, she is the one his Lairdship has his heart set on marrying?”

Fia whispered to Eilis, shrinking behind Lady Akira and Tavia so they could not be seen. “Eanruig told me he wants us to pretend to desire His Lairdship’s hand in marriage so that some lady will consent to be his wife. But I had no idea who the woman was.”

Catriona was speaking to a maid, her mouth turned down, eyes narrowed. The maid bobbed then hurried off.

“Catriona eats servants to break her fast. How could James wish to wed the tyrant? Although, I’m sure Catriona would be on her best behavior in front of a suitor who might care about a servant’s treatment. Her servants would never complain for fear of dismissal.”

Eilis hmpfed under her breath. “And here I was afraid of harming their relationship. But a new dilemma presents itself. Now His Lairdship will learn who I am.”

“’Twas only a matter of time before His Lairdship learned who we were.”

Fia offered a coy smile. “You are not concerned about wedging a boulder betwixt them anymore, aye?”

Nay, ‘twas that James might feel beholden to wed Eilis. She straightened. “His Lairdship is fair game, do you not think, dear cousin?”

At least until Eilis could plan a way out of this nightmare.

Fia laughed. “Aye.”

Catriona caught sight of Fia first, narrowed her eyes even further, and headed straight for her.

Eilis overheard Lady Akira say, “I believe, James, the entertainment is about to begin.”

“We have not had anything but entertainment since Eilis arrived,”

he replied, but she couldn’t tell from his shuttered expression what he was feeling.

Catriona reached Fia and asked, “What are you doing here?”

As if Fia were any less of a prize.

“Same as you, I suspect.”

Fia tilted her smiling face up. “Wanting a chance at being Laird James’s bride.”

Eilis smiled at her cousin’s response.

Catriona gave a short laugh. “That would be the day. You are naught but a goat herder’s daughter.”

She glanced at Eilis, and her eyes widened. “What…when…you were dead.”

Eilis held her tongue. Did Catriona recognize her to be Eilis or Agnes?

“You cannot be seeking his Lairdship’s hand also. You are betrothed to Dunbarton, the old cantankerous fool. Buried two wives already, and I suspect you will be the next.”

Catriona thought her to be Agnes then. Eilis’s heart sank.

James’s eyes darkened to nearly black, his jaw tightening. Lady Akira’s eyes rounded. Eilis opened her mouth to speak, to contradict the spoiled clan chief’s daughter’s claim before James called one of his men to cast Eilis beyond the castle walls to seek the arms of her betrothed, who was not her betrothed. Although, she would have her freedom then, if he did not decide to turn her over to Dunbarton in payment of ransom for Dougald.

She caught a glimpse of Keary listening with interest as the hall was so deathly quiet. Not good. If he thought she was truly betrothed to his father, and he could somehow smuggle the news out…

Fia stole Eilis’s words before she could speak them. “Agnes died of a fever before Eilis sailed from Ireland. This is Eilis. Agnes was betrothed to Dunbarton, as well you know. Alas, Eilis has nearly won Laird MacNeill’s hand.”

She wrapped her arm around Eilis’s waist and gave her a comforting hug. “You and I, dear lady, are both a wee bit too late, Catriona.”

Eilis closed her gaping mouth. Hadn’t her cousin refused to tell anyone Eilis was not Agnes, fearing their uncle’s wrath?

Lady Akira’s gaze switched from Fia to Eilis, waiting for her to respond. James looked as angry as when he pulled Eilis from his horse when she’d tried to steal away.

Glowering at Fia, Catriona’s lips thinned to an angry line. “You lie.”

“Nay.”

Fia took Eilis’s hand. “You know we are like two halves of a clam shell, inseparable until she had to return to her uncle’s castle. I never could abide cousin Agnes and her haughty ways, being that she was the clan chief’s daughter. Reminded me of you, come to think of it. Truth be told, even when Eilis’s da had been the clan chief, she never put on airs.”

Catriona’s face reddened.

“Come, let us sit at the head table, ladies,”

Lady Akira said, the color in her face returning, her lips curved up.

When she led them to the table, Fia whispered to Eilis, “We will have to run away together when the time comes or both have to face our uncle’s harsh punishment.”

“I did not want to get you in trouble, Fia,”

Eilis whispered back.

“Nay, we were always bound together. Come, let us take James’s arms and escort him to the table. Give Catriona something to really scowl about.”

Though she felt awkward in doing so, considering how intimately Nesta had already found her with James and the later incident as well when even his mother had discovered him naked in bed with Eilis… She took a deep breath, which did nothing to settle her nerves. With Fia’s encouragement, Eilis looped her arm around James’s right arm and Fia his left, leaving Catriona to trail behind.

Lady Akira gave Eilis a supporting smile, but Eilis didn’t think His Lairdship was pleased with her the way his expression remained hard. Did he presume she was Agnes and betrothed to Dunbarton, his enemy, after all?

Or was he considering offering her for ransom to free his kin?

When they reached the table, Catriona was seated on the other side of Fia, while James sat between Eilis and her cousin.

After saying grace, James leaned over to Eilis. “Tell me the whole story, or I will send word at once to your uncle that you are here.”