Chapter 23

23

E mily liked Lucas immensely.

They had ridden out together toward the village just after noon.

As they departed, Emily had noticed Lady MacNiall watching them from one of the windows, and a tremor of uncertainty had passed through her at her look.

Should I be interferin' with this? It isnae me place to be speakin' to clansfolk. I am nae their Lady yet.

But even as she acknowledged that thought, she knew she was still going to the village.

There were benefits to her taking the time to hear their problems in person. She knew as well as anyone how important it was for her people to feel heard. She might not be part of Clan MacNiall, but attitudes did not change no matter where people hailed from.

Lucas chatted amiably for much of the journey, informing her of what had taken place originally.

"The Youngs were part of Clan MacPherson, but they had always been unhappy with their position in it. They live on the border. Some of the MacPherson soldiers got drunk one night and broke into some of the cottages. Robin Young, the father, beat them back. Ever since then, he was seen as a traitor, even though his own clan's soldiers had tried to hurt his wife and daughters."

Lucas sighed as the village came into view ahead of them. "He approached the late Laird MacNiall, wishing to join our clan. The late Laird agreed, but there has been a lot of trouble since."

"What kind of trouble?"

"Och, Clan MacPherson isnae far enough from their cottages to prevent them from trying to punish them for defecting. They see the whole family as traitors and have ransacked their home more than once. Mrs. Young has a large vegetable garden, and it has been raided many times, leaving the family without food. They have requested to be moved closer to the castle, but there is nay accommodation available."

"None at all?" Emily asked.

"So Barclay says," Lucas replied and glanced at her uncertainly.

"Just tell me the facts," she said carefully.

"There are some smaller cottages on the east side of the town. They are high up and so have fallen into disrepair."

"And ye say the Youngs are farmers?"

"Sheep farmers."

"Could the cottages be repaired and the hillside be used for the sheep to graze on?"

Lucas paused, mulling over the idea for a few moments. "Perhaps, but there would still be the question of whether the family would be welcomed into the new village. Many dinnae trust them. The MacPherson clansfolk havenae been friendly with us. It is an uneasy peace."

Emily considered her options.

There were always reasons behind animosity between people. Sometimes, certain families quarreled because of old scores. Sometimes, any excuse lit the spark that started a fight.

But from what Lucas had told her, the MacPherson clansfolk were being unnecessarily harsh on a small, inconsequential family.

She wondered what Adam might say if he were here. Despite only knowing him for a short time, she thought she had the measure of how his people should be treated.

She might be defying his orders and acting independently, but ultimately, her goal was to help him. He had helped her when he barged into her wedding, and now she wished to help him in return.

As they approached the border, she could see exactly where the problems lay. The cottages of Clan MacPherson were visible within half a mile. MacPherson villagers could easily make it to the Youngs' house on foot.

They slowed down, and Emily looked around her at the ramshackle buildings that made up the Youngs' farm.

She was not entirely comfortable being here without Adam, but she was determined to try to resolve the issue. Adam was a fair laird, that much was clear, and she felt that if she was careful and clear in her dealings with the Youngs, he would not disapprove of her intervention.

If she were to become the next Lady MacNiall, she had to prove to him that she could assist in clan matters. Maybe he would change his mind about her only merit being an absent wife.

"Laird MacNiall doesnae ken I'm here," she said honestly.

"Barclay doesnae ken I'm here," Lucas replied with a mischievous smile.

Emily laughed. "Alright then. I dinnae want to upset the apple cart, but I would like to meet the Young family. If nothin' else, it will show them we are listenin'."

"I couldnae agree more, M'Lady."

Emily dismounted, as did Lucas, and they walked over the soft tufts of heather toward the first cottage.

The farm was a modest one on the edge of a high hillside. The soft bleating of sheep sounded in the distance, and Emily could feel her doubts drifting away on the breeze.

She loved being outdoors. It was good to see the hillsides all about her and the wide-open country stretching for miles in every direction.

It would certainly be no hardship to be the Lady of these lands. It reminded her of Clan Wilkinson but with the added benefit of being close to the cliffs. She could smell the salty brine in the air.

How strange it is to think this would be a nice life . A few days ago, I was desperate to return to me faither, and now the idea of stayin' with Adam isnae so unpleasant.

"Mr. Young!" Lucas called.

Emily was pulled from her thoughts by the sight of a stooped, elderly man approaching them. He was flanked by two beefy-looking men, who must have been his sons. They were tall, with bright blue eyes, and so similar in looks that Emily concluded they must have been twins.

As she watched, a woman emerged from the house behind them. As Mr. Young reached Lucas and shook his hand, she bustled forward, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Da, Maither's comin'," murmured one of the sons, and Mr. Young stiffened as he turned to watch his wife approach.

"I will handle this, me love," he said gently to his wife. "Ye stay inside with the bairns."

"And who is this?" Mrs. Young demanded, looking Emily up and down with contempt. She was a rather terrifying-looking woman with wild blonde hair and a deep frown. "This isnae the Laird. He doesnae have any interest in entertainin' us, I see."

"Miriam," Mr. Young admonished, casting a worried glance at Emily.

Lucas cleared his throat. "Madam?—"

"I am nae a madam , Mr. Moore. I am a farmer's wife, and I dinnae appreciate ye askin' us to make the journey when ye were comin' yerselves. Me husband isnae up to another journey like that, and we already went to MacNiall Castle twice to ask to meet ye, and nay one ever came." Mrs. Young gestured behind her. "Have ye seen the state of our roof? They threw lighted torches at us in the middle of the night."

Emily took in the roof in question. It was heavily stained with black marks, and there was a large hole in the west corner, which had been inexpertly patched up.

Adam's shoulders would barely fit through the door, she silently noted with amusement. Perhaps it is a good thing I came.

She looked back at Mrs. Young, who was glaring at her with narrowed eyes.

"Who are ye?" Mrs. Young demanded.

Lucas drew himself up indignantly, clearly insulted on Emily's behalf by the woman's tone. But Emily stepped forward before he could speak, holding out her hand in greeting.

"I am to be the next Lady MacNiall, Mrs. Young," she said firmly. "The Laird couldnae be here, but he is concerned about what ye have been through. I have come to see if I can be of any use. And, if nae, I will convey yer wishes to him in person."

Mr. and Mrs. Young raised their eyebrows at one another, and Mrs. Young's fiery expression cooled somewhat.

"The Lady of MacNiall Castle, is it?" she said in astonishment.

"Nae quite yet, Mrs. Young, but I will be soon."

Emily knew that explaining the circumstances of their marriage would only confuse things further, but calling herself the Lady of Adam's clan felt right. It was a startling realization.

"Will ye show us around, at least?" she asked. "I'll do whatever I can. Mr. Moore has told me some of what ye have been through, and I am here to listen to ye."

Emily had been holding her hand out in greeting for so long thatshe was about to retract it when one of the twins stepped forward and shook it.

"Ye're very welcome, M'Lady," he said, blushing up to his hairline as his mother tsked loudly.

"Off with ye—the both of ye! Go and see to yer sisters."

The two young men hurried away, and Mrs. Young's steely gaze landed on Emily once more.

It was clear that she was the head of the family. Mr. Young might be the father they all needed to earn a living, but this woman was in charge.

"I cannae say I expected this, but I am pleased ye have come. I have some slices of cake if ye'd like. Ye've had a long journey."

"Why dinnae ye show us the repairs that need to be done, and then I would very much like to try yer cake, Mrs. Young. What kind is it?"

"Seed cake, M'Lady."

"Do ye have some honey to go with it?" she asked.

Mrs. Young's face split into a grin. She looked at her husband. "I kenned the Laird had some sense in him. Chosen a good wife for himself, he has. Come along, lass, I'll show ye around."

She bustled back toward the main building, pointing out the issues they were having with the roof. Emily followed behind her, Lucas dawdling in their wake.

She wasn't sure why, but the councilman and Mr. Young deferred to the ladies throughout the afternoon, and neither man said very much at all.

Emily was convinced that if Adam were there, he would capitulate. She looked across the fields separating the cottages and felt a chill at the sight of shadowy figures in the distance working the farm. One wrong turn, one bad thought late at night, and the Youngs could find themselves without a home.

Surely, Adam would agree that this can be a solution? He cannae wish his people to suffer, even if only one farm is affected.

She turned back in the direction of the castle, wishing Adam were with her, but it was too late now. She had come to make a difference, and she would have to forge ahead alone.