The Accidental Highland Hero (The Highlanders #2)

Chapter Seventeen

Early the next morn, Eilis and Fia went to the hall to break their fast, but James seemed in a strange mood. He leaned over to Catriona. “How was your eve? Did you sleep well?”

At first, Catriona pushed out her bottom lip in a pout. “My chamber is not as nice as some, and I did not sleep well. Did you, my laird?”

Eilis bit her tongue. Was Catriona intimating that she needed James’s company last eve to make the night pass more quickly? And why was James ignoring Eilis and only speaking with Catriona this morn? Had he taken her advice, nay advice, but command to seek Catriona’s interest rather than Eilis’s?

She should have been satisfied. So why was her stomach bunching into knotted hemp?

By the time the meal had ended, Eilis could not wait to quit the hall. Not once had James looked Eilis’s way, nor had he spoken a word to her. Fia looked on sympathetically, and like Eilis, had not much of an appetite.

When Eilis and her cousin left the hall and, with Fergus guarding as usual, they took a walk in the herb gardens. Fia cleared her throat. “Laird James mentioned to me you had been to Brecken Castle.”

Eilis looked sharply at Fia but said naught.

“Do you remember?”

“Aye. That is where I met Lady Allison.”

“And the trouble you had there? A cousin took you away?”

Eilis stared at the flowers in the garden, vaguely remembering Allison had been in trouble in the stable. “Aye…oh, Fia, a man had…had attacked Allison.”

Eilis closed her eyes then looked again at Fia. “‘Twas the cousin I had taken such a fancy to.”

Fia’s eyes widened. “You do not mean Fann, do you?”

“Aye, t’was he. The devil was in the drink. He had been in his cups and had tried to take advantage of poor Allison, but I…I heard her scream and raced in to see the matter, thinking a horse had nipped her. When I saw it was our cousin, I seized a pitchfork and poked him soundly in the arse. He turned his fury on me, but then realizing the trouble he might be in, he forced me to leave Brecken at once so I would not reveal his identity. Allison had no idea who he was.”

“Och, Eilis, why did you never tell me?”

“He was out of his head with drink, and he never did it again that I know of.”

James stalked into the inner bailey and spoke to a couple of his men across while Catriona practically was tied to him like a saddle to a horse.

“I cannot believe he has a guard watching your every move.”

Fia folded her arms and gave Fergus the evil eye.

“’Tis not that he needs me here any longer. Look at the way Catriona fawns over him. And how he talked only to her at the meal this morn.”

Eilis took a heavy breath. “He has finally realized his mistake in wishing me for a bride.”

Catriona reached for James’s arm, but he sidestepped her.

Then one of the men he was speaking to looked Eilis’s way, and when he did, James caught sight of her watching him. He smiled and took Catriona’s hand and kissed it.

Eilis’s mouth gaped before she caught herself. So did Fia’s.

“Did you see what James just did?”

Fia asked.

“Aye. You see why I say he has no more need of me?”

“But…”

Fia clamped her mouth shut, and she and Eilis glanced back at Fergus. The guard watched them, his face expressionless.

Two men approached James and pulled swords from their scabbards, and Eilis’s stomach clenched. “What is His Lairdship doing now?”

They challenged James, and he spoke to Catriona then she moved a safe distance away.

“What is happening?”

Eilis tried to mask the alarm in her voice but failed.

“Practicing sword fighting,”

Fergus said.

“Two against one?”

For the first time since she’d known him, Fergus smiled. “Our Laird likes more challenging odds in case he is bushwhacked some day.”

The two men thrust at James, and every time he swept their swords away from his chest with a clang.

At first, James stepped back from their thrusts. Suddenly, he slashed at one then the other, forcing them to retreat. With a decisive blow, he knocked the sword from one of the men’s hand, and charged like a wild boar at the other until he struck the man’s sword and it flew into the air.

His people clapped.

Catriona quickly made her move to congratulate him, but after he resheathed his sword, three young boys approached him, wielding wooden swords. One handed a spare to James then they all attacked him with a vengeance, growling and yelling.

James sounded just as fearsome as he whacked their swords with his, but not once did he strike hard, nor did he wound them in mock battle. Instead, he groaned whenever one of the junior warriors slashed at his leg or hit his arm.

Then in a dramatic final bout, the tallest of the lads knocked James’s sword from his grasp. The courtiers cheered.

Eilis asked Fergus, “Does he oft practice with the lads?”

“Aye. They must learn to protect themselves. Our laird is one of the best swordsmen around.”

Again, Catriona moved in close to James to get his attention.

“I have seen enough, Fia. Let us retire to our chamber, shall we?”

“Och, you cannot let her have him. The poor man.”

Fia hurried beside her as they entered the keep.

“He wanted her, Fia. My only purpose in being here was to ensure she saw the error of her ways. Now that she has, my obligation to him has been fulfilled.”

Eilis glanced back at Fergus and frowned. “I hope you do not repeat everything I say to His Lairdship.”

“Only that which His Lairdship wishes to hear.”

‘Twas good that she spoke of naught that James would be interested in hearing in Fergus’s presence. Eilis entered the guest chambers with Fia and waited for Fergus to shut the door. Once the latch clicked, she said to Fia, “Our best chance at escape is to climb over the wall they are rebuilding.”

“They have a guard or two there every night. But, Eilis, you must consider James wishes to wed you.”

“We had a fight last night, I tell you. One little fight, and he sees me as too much of a challenge and returns to the woman he wanted in the first place? There are bound to be more disagreements after marriage. What then? Would he seek another woman’s arms for comfort? Mayhap he wouldn’t even need that excuse if he becomes anything like his sire.”

Fia wrung her hands, her brow wrinkled in thought. “I know you well enough to believe this has more to do with worrying that our uncle and Dunbarton will join forces and destroy the MacNeills. That this has nothing to do with your concern that James no longer desires you.”

She sighed. “I have to agree with you about our uncle and Dunbarton’s combined forces and how brutally they could deal with the MacNeills. But what if James offers a bigger bride price to our uncle for you? Mayhap this is all for naught.”

“Think you Dunbarton will give up that easily? That our uncle will agree to receive anything less from James than the sun and the moon and the earth, too?”

Fia snorted softly. “Aye, once he learns James loves you, our uncle would stop at naught to get the most out of the bargain.”

“All right then, ‘tis agreed. Where the wall is still being rebuilt is the only place we might be able to climb over. The gate is closed tight in the eve,”

Eilis said, feeling less decisive about this than she wanted to be. In fact, deep in her heart, she had the traitorous hope she and Fia wouldn’t succeed. But she had to at least make the effort to protect the MacNeills in any way that she could. .

Fia stared out the window. “But how are we to get past the guard at our room?”

“We go through James’s bedchamber.”

Fia’s eyes widened.

“Before he has retired this time. His door is slightly beyond the bend in the wall. All we need do is slip out of here after we finish the evening meal.”

Fia looked back out the window and gasped.

Eilis hurried over to peek out and stared at the redheaded man astride his black horse, accompanied by several other hardy Highland warriors. “Who is he?”

Fia gaped at her. “Do you not recognize him?”

Alarmed at Fia’s worried response, Eilis asked again, “Nay, who is he?”

“Och, you have not regained all your memories. ‘Tis our cousin, Broc. Uncle MacBurness’s only son. His being here is not a good sign. Agnes’s brother must know you are here, or he would not have come. Oh, Eilis, I fear we are doomed.”

****

James stiffened as he listened to Eanruig give him the grave news in the great hall. “You say he is Agnes’s brother, Broc MacBurness?”

“Aye.”

“And he believes we have his sister, Agnes, here?”

“Keeping her safe, my laird, and he wishes to take her off our hands now.”

“He does, does he?”

James ran his hand over his chin. “And you have told him?”

“That we have no lady like that here, my laird.”

James glanced at his mother, standing quietly in the entrance of the great hall. He took a heavy breath. “My mother, please ensure the kitchen staff prepare meals for two of our ladies in their chambers for evening meal.”

“You should have married Eilis already and not have been dallying with Catriona all morn.”

Frowning at him, she inclined her head and hurried off to the kitchen.

Mayhap, but he’d hoped if he’d shown no interest in Eilis this morn, she would realize the error of her ways, capitulate, and agree to wed him.

“You intend to keep the ladies’ presence here secret?”

Eanruig asked.

“Possibly Fia should come to the meal, although I am afraid she might be too nervous to face her cousin, Broc. But he may know she is staying with us.”

“Aye, the word must have reached his father that you have shown some interest in marrying Fia, and he wonders why.”

“Or the word is out that she has come here to see her cousin, whom she cares for a great deal. I assumed it would come to this eventually but not as soon as all this.”

James sighed.

“How will we keep this Broc from taking Eilis away with him?”

James raised his brows.

Eanruig smiled.

****

A knocking at the bedchamber door made Eilis and Fia jump.

Tavia entered. Her face looked so grave, Eilis feared the worst concerning her cousin Broc, but she didn’t speak a word.

“’Tis not good news I fear for you, my lady,”

Tavia said, wringing her hands.

Her heart sinking, Eilis sat down hard on the cushioned bench.

“What is wrong?”

Fia asked.

“A Highlander has come to call. He says he is searching for his sister, Agnes MacBurness, and he described you, Eilis.”

Eilis frowned. “Aye, because our mothers were twins, and Agnes and I looked verra much alike.”

“He says,”

Tavia continued, her voice small and disconcerted, “that rumors abound in Glen Affric that Agnes survived the sinking of the ship she traveled on. He says he believes some kind family has taken her in. He wishes to bestow coin on the family who cared for her, but ‘tis now time for her to return home to her own family.”

“He wants naught of the kind! He intends to deliver me to Dunbarton and force me to marry the man who is betrothed to Agnes, not me!”

“He is waiting at the evening meal. Lady Akira has given instructions servants will bring food to you both in your chamber.”

“James cannot hide me here forever.”

“I am certain he does not intend to. I am sure he will come up with a plan that will work out well for all concerned. He is quite clever.”

“Nay. My clan will say I am Agnes. No one will go against my uncle. And then my uncle will wage war against Laird James and his people.”

Tavia looked at Fia who nodded.

“James is an honorable man. For now, he is keeping quiet, but I am certain he is afraid someone will let it slip that you are here. He will do everything in his power to keep you out of Dunbar’s clutches, but…”

“But?”

“What if ‘tis the way you say, and your uncle does wage war against us? He would only have to gather Dunbarton’s men as well and crush us.”

Tavia looked at the floor and then sighed as she raised her gaze to meet Eilis’s. “Not only that, Catriona might tell Broc you are here if she can get word to him somehow.”

Eilis’s heart nearly stopped. Catriona would do everything to cause trouble for her.

Tavia took a deep breath. “I will help you to leave here now.”

****

Broc strode into the great hall with his men, his walk confident, outwardly arrogant, as if he were laird of the manor. He greeted James with guarded respect then sat beside him at the head table while his men took seats at one of the lower ones.

At once, James recognized the brutish Highlander with the scar across his face, giving him a perpetual scowl and realized just who was staying in the chamber next to his. The girl he’d searched for in vain until he’d left the Highlands to fight in the Crusade. With the utmost restraint, he remained seated and glanced in the direction of her chamber abovestairs.

She was the sweet lass he’d rescued from drowning in the caves by the sea, weighed down by a wet gown and a bag of rocks. And Broc had mistreated her, as injured as she was. The girl James had wanted to kiss again, hold, protect, and never let go.

Ah, ‘twas a sign that he should rescue her first in the briny sea, and then a few summers later, his seneschal and cousin fish her out of the sea once more and return her to him. His prayers had been answered. Which proved she belonged with him.

James leaned back in his chair and eyed Broc with contempt. The whoreson would never touch Eilis in a brutal manner again. In truth, the lass would be his as soon as he could make the arrangements.

Aye, ‘twas the only solution. She would never marry Dunbarton.

As a man served mead, Broc said to James, “You know I have come for my sister, Agnes.”

“Aye.”

James carved off a slice of bread for Broc but did not comment further, waiting for Eilis’s cousin to explain in his own words his mission—although ‘twas all a lie.

Broc observed James’s people. Counting the number of able-bodied men? Seeing if he had enough men of his own he could call up to do battle if necessary?

“My sister is betrothed to Laird Dunbarton. He is anxious to have his bride at Lockton,”

Broc finally said.

“As any man would wish, to be sure,”

James said, disguising any hint of emotion. Although deep inside, he wished to fight Broc for treating Eilis so shabbily.

Normally filled with conversation, the hall was silent except for the clanking of goblets against the wooden trestle tables.

Lady Akira moved a slice of stag around on her trencher but failed to eat a bite. Lady Catriona, on the other hand, devoured everything in sight. When she wasn’t stuffing her mouth with succulent morsels of deer meat, chomping on bread, or sipping leek soup, she was casting smug smiles at Broc.

At once, James knew what the woman had in mind. As soon as she could, she’d alert Broc or one of his men about Eilis staying with them.

An herbal draught that would make Catriona sleep was needed, but James noticed then that Tavia wasn’t eating her meal at the hall. Was she dining with Eilis and Fia? He had the uncanny feeling something wasn’t right.

In fact, ever since Eilis had arrived, his people had acted differently. Curious as to who Eilis was. Amused to see his attentions toward the lass, even though it had been purely a ruse in the beginning. Worried that this Broc might take her away. James had never seen his people so interested in anyone not of their own ilk.

Niall was sure to be upset about Broc coming for Eilis also. James glanced at the seat his cousin normally occupied, but he was absent also. That did not bode well.

“Where’s Niall?”

James asked his mother, knowing Niall would not purposefully miss a meal unless he had good reason and had already let James know of it.

His mother shrugged but avoided eye contact.

James frowned. His gaze swept over the length of the elevated table where he normally sat with his family, advisor, and special guests. His advisor. Eanruig. Where was he? Now that James considered the table where Eilis, Fia, his cousin, and Eanruig were absent, it looked rather barren.

“Where is Eanruig?”

James asked his mother.

Again, she lifted a shoulder in resignation but wouldn’t look at him.

If Broc hadn’t been sitting beside him, James would have insisted on answers. The truth of the matter was he feared whatever they were up to had to do with Eilis. And again, as when they brought the lass half-drowned to his castle, they were hiding their dealings with her from him when he was the laird of the clan!

James motioned to a servant, and when the young man joined them, he said, “Find my cousin. I want him at the meal.”

The man glanced at Lady Akira, who poked her spoon into her soup and ignored the look the fearful servant gave her.

Was everyone but James in on the conspiracy?

His head pounded with irritation. “Find him and have him attend the meal at once.”

“Yes, my laird.”

The lad took off at a run.

“Having family troubles of your own?”

Broc asked, his tone amused.

“My cousin sometimes forgets the time of day because he is so busy with other important matters.”

“Yes, well, as to this business with my sister, word has reached me from Glen Affric that Agnes was rescued from the ship that sank. My cousin, Fia, is supposed to be here as a bride choice for you.”

Broc glanced at Catriona. “I am surprised she is absent from the meal.”

“She had a hectic day, and sleep eluded her last eve. So the lass retired to her bedchamber early.”

“She is Agnes’s favorite cousin.”

“Really?”

James said. “She has mentioned how attached she is to her cousin, Eilis, but said nary a word about Agnes.”

Broc’s face clouded. “Really. Well, the lass is a bit willful at times.”

“Eilis or Fia?”

Broc leaned back in the chair. “I am sorry. I suppose Fia has not heard. Eilis died of a fever the morn Agnes had to set sail. A terrible tragedy. Eilis was most disconcerted about having to leave after her cousin’s sudden death.”

“You mean Agnes was?”

Uncomprehending Broc, stared at him.

“You said Eilis was disconcerted. But she was the lass who died, so you said.”

Broc stabbed another slice of meat. “Aye, I meant Agnes.”

“I will make you a proposal.”

Broc’s calculating eyes widened some. “Aye, what have ye to offer then?”

James glanced at Catriona who hung on their every word. “In my solar we shall discuss the business. For now, eat and drink.”

Catriona’s eyes darkened. “You know Eilis resides here, Broc?”

He gave a smug smile. “Aye, so I have heard.”

James shoved his trencher aside, wishing now he’d seen this side of Catriona earlier, before he’d invited her visit. He supposed she’d always been this way, but he could not see it prior to this or she’d been on her best behavior in his presence.

“Eilis is well?”

Broc asked, although he chomped on a piece of brown bread and washed it down with a mug of mead. He did not appear truly interested.

“She was injured in the shipwreck.”

Broc’s knife paused midair above his slice of deer meat. “Badly?”

“She looked more than well to me.”

Catriona sniffed.

James could imagine what Broc was thinking. If Eilis had been injured badly, she might not be worthy enough to marry to Dunbarton.

Unable to wait any longer, James ended the meal. “Come, we will talk.”

He motioned for Broc to join him.

Catriona glowered at James. ‘Twas time to send the woman away. And he would make his wishes known to her once he had given Broc his intentions in regards to Eilis.

****

Tavia hurried Eilis into James’s bedchamber.

“What is going on?”

Eilis asked, her skin prickling, hopeful that Tavia had a plan of escape that would truly work this time.

“Shhhh. Fergus is waiting beyond your door as usual. But here,”

Tavia said then moved a small chest, “there is a passageway to a tunnel that leads beyond the castle wall. ‘Tis meant for the laird and his family’s escape should ever the need arise and was built a hundred years ago when erecting the original timber castle.”

Tavia lighted a candle while Eilis pulled the trap door open. The smell of damp earth rose from the dark pit.

“‘Tis chilly and wet down there. Have a care where you step. Some stones have become dislodged over the years.”

Tavia climbed down the ladder first. “When I was a wee lass, some of the others and I would explore down here. We made a map on the wall to guide us to the tunnel that leads outside.”

Eilis hugged her arms around her waist and shivered. “Where do we go from here, Tavia? Once we are beyond the castle walls?”

Turning, Tavia smiled, the candlelight flickering off her dark brown eyes. “Why I have told you Niall speaks of you every minute of the day. The ladies who normally catch his eye are driven to madness over his interest in you.”

She continued to splash through the ground water accumulated on the stone floor. “He is rescuing you from Broc.”

“But what will James do? Will he not be angry with his cousin?”

Eilis couldn’t help worrying about the two of them. She’d never want anyone to hurt her relationship with her cousin, Fia. Certainly, she didn’t want to harm James’s with his cousin.

“Niall is a grown man. He will do what he feels in is heart is right. And James, likewise.”

“I do not want them to be angry with each other over me.”

“‘Tis not your concern, my lady. They have their rows from time to time, and they always mend their ways.”

But Eilis didn’t believe James would easily forgive Niall over this.

A light shown through a doorway, and Tavia handed the candle to Eilis then slipped a key into the lock. “Niall gave me the key as soon as he saw Broc arrive.”

Tavia pulled the door open, and it creaked on rusted hinges.

The fading sunlight shown in Eilis’s eyes, blinding her for an instant.

Niall hurried forward, while Eanruig held onto horses’ reigns nearby. James would be furious, to be sure, that his seneschal was in on this also.

Another lad she didn’t recognize stood some distance away, wringing his belt through his fingers.

“Tell His Lairdship you could not find me,”

Niall said to the lad, while helping Eilis onto a horse.

Eanruig assisted Fia onto another.

“Lock the door to the tunnel and return things the way they were,”

Niall said to Tavia.

“He will know I helped the ladies escape. Can I not come with you, Niall?”

Tavia asked.

“Nay. Our clan needs you for your healing skills.”

Niall mounted his horse. “Besides, traveling with two women will be difficult enough.”

Tavia reached up and squeezed Eilis’s hand. “Godspeed, my lady. I pray thee find protection wherever you go. And you, Fia, as well.”

“Thank you, Tavia, for everything,”

Eilis said, her stomach churning with nervousness as she glanced back at the castle tower looming above them.

Tavia closed the door to the tunnel entrance then the four rode off.

“Where will we go?”

Eilis asked, the hope returning that she truly would get away this time, away from her family, leaving James behind who would be glad some day that he was not faced with a battle on two fronts. Yet she couldn’t help wishing she could be his wife, staying with him and his mother, with his kin, the first time she’d ever felt at home and cared for. Loved even, except when her mother and da lived.

“To see Lady Anice and the new laird of the castle. Malcolm is James’s next oldest brother. Broc and his father will not know you have taken refuge there.”

Eilis tightened her hands on her reigns. “You cannot be serious, my laird. We will cause trouble for more of your kin.”

“What would you have us do?”

Niall asked, his voice couched in annoyance. “James wishes your hand, and he will be unbearable to live with if you wed Dunbarton.”

Eilis closed her gaping mouth.

Niall raised his brows. “You think not, bonny lass? Why he says naught, but his feelings are shown in his actions. You are the only one he has ever acted thus toward. You are the one for him, no other.”

“But Catriona…”

“Aye, Catriona. Did you see the way he switched the trestle tables on you?”

She couldn’t fathom what Niall was speaking of.

“The way he kissed Catriona’s hand to make you jealous? I nearly laughed when I saw his actions. He had been avoiding her all morning after you and he had quarreled last eve. Catriona continued to pester him like a sucker fish.”

Eilis laughed.

“Aye. And so what does he do? He spoke only with her at the meal, sees you watching him, and he kisses Catriona’s hand. ‘Twas a means to get your attention. I was standing atop the scaffolding, supervising the mending of the south wall when I saw him do it. Nearly fell off I was so shocked. I have never seen him desire any woman before like he wants you. And when he discovers I have spirited you away…”

“He will be furious with you.”

Niall grinned. “Aye. Teach him to show any interest in Catriona when he wishes her not and when he refuses to be more forceful in this issue concerning marrying you.”

“He has good reason,”

Eilis said, annoyed.

Chuckling, Niall nudged his horse closer to Eilis. “And you care for him as much as he does for you. But, aye, he did not realize your cousin would be hot on your trail so soon after Eanruig discovered who you were.”

“This is folly. Someone will warn my uncle, and I will be right back where I started.”