Chapter 27

27

The Return To Rottrich Castle

" C an ye believe that it actually worked?" asked Dakota. "I mean, we willnae ken for sure for a week or so, but he was on the mend and it is all because of ye."

"Och, will ye stop sayin' that," demanded William. "I did nothin' save for bein' a voice because yer wee sister couldnae. People listen when I speak, so I only have to open me mouth."

"Aye, but ye dinnae have to do it. That's the difference. Ye could have stood back and let the physician do his job, but ye stood up for Daisy."

"She is goin' to be both a fine woman and a troublesome one when she is older," commented William.

"More troublesome than me?"

"I dread to say it, but aye! She might even outdo ye one day."

"Then I have taught her well."

Dakota pulled on her reins to straighten the horse on the dirt road leading to the castle. The large structure rose in the distance. They were finally home. And, from the way Dakota had been acting and talking, William wondered if she really did call this home now.

He pulled on his reins to move his horse a little faster. He had been away for a day longer than planned and was eager to return. He was confident in his decision to leave the castle and travel with his wife, but he was sure there would be some unrest.

"If yer wee sister wants to be a healer someday, we could always use her at the castle." William gestured ahead. "I ken it will be hard for her if she does want to go down that road."

"Aye, that would be grand to have her so close, but I daenae ken if she would want that. I have a feelin' that she will make her own way in the world without the assistance of any of us. Nae that she willnae accept any help when it is given, but she is more independent than I ever was."

"I dinnae really ken yer family before this trip, Dakota. It was braw to spend some time with them. I cannae say that I got to ken yer faither better, but I had some long talks with Dominic and he is a fine lad. I got to see Daisy do her thin' too. And, well, Delilah… I think she avoided me for the entire visit."

William glanced at his wife; he did not want to avoid her.

"Aye, she is still a little embarrassed about runnin' away. I daenae ken what is next for her. She doesnae want to get married, obviously, but she will have to one day."

Dakota glanced back at William for a moment before looking away quickly. A shy smile appeared on her lips.

"She will have to?" William raised an eyebrow. "I dinnae think I would ever hear ye speakin' like that!"

"Well… och, will ye nae look at me like that? I just mean that she will have to do her duty for the family sometime."

"Her duty? Aye?"

"Aye, I ken I wasnae always of that opinion, but people can change. If I married a brute, then so can she."

Dakota was riding so close to William that she could reach out and touch his shoulder.

"A brute?" laughed William. "Aye, I have been called a lot worse than that."

"And ye will again," replied Dakota, trying to hide her smile. "So… will ye take care of Conall soon enough?"

William grinned again. He knew she was not asking about that, but the thing that came after that. "Aye, soon enough."

Dakota nodded her head as she rode. They continued in silence, and the front gate of the castle became busier as the townsfolk saw them approach. It was always a good day when the Laird of the castle returned safely.

William nodded in greeting to some of the clans-people as he and Dakota moved through them on horseback. They led the other riders and two coaches. Dakota had not wanted to ride in the coach on the way back, preferring to ride on horseback with her husband.

They passed under the front arch of the castle and into the main courtyard before heading for the stables. A figure caught William's eye as they moved past the market. He looked up to see Cameron standing on the battlement. He held the man's gaze for a moment before addressing his wife.

"Nay time like the present to deal with castle business."

Dakota spotted Cameron too. "I am tired after the ride. I will talk to the housekeeper and ensure you have food later."

"Aye, that would be welcome." William leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek. He saw her blush and smiled. He always loved it when she blushed like that. He spurred his horse in the other direction and under another archway, returning to the sunlight in the practice courtyard used to train the soldiers.

Cameron passed through one of the hallways in the battlements and descended the stone steps to meet William. The Laird leaped from the horse and tethered the reins to the wooden stake.

"Good to have ye back," noted Cameron.

"It is good to be back."

"I trust the visit was fruitful."

William nodded. "Aye, in more ways than one. I believe I spoke with the future Laird of McGunn castle, not that I expect Laird McGunn to pass anytime soon, and that is because… well, perhaps an amusing story for another time. Ye werenae waitin' out here to hear me stories, were ye?"

"Nay, I come with news."

"Conall?" asked William.

"Aye. I have what ye need, but it's nae as simple as takin' the evidence to the English first. I need to go down there and catch them in the act. Once I do, I'll be able to turn the others."

William shook his head. "Nay, I willnae risk ye. I'll lead the men."

"Nay, William. Ye need to stay here. That's… let me explain it all through. Once I catch them in the act, everythin' else falls into place. It will be dangerous, but we have the men for it. All I need is yer blessin' to cause the trouble."

"Ye are sure about all of it?" asked William.

"Aye, positive. I ken the men down there, and I trust them."

"All right. How long do ye need? And how many men?"

"A couple dozen men, and I need a week, but we set off the day after tomorrow."

"Aye?" asked William.

"Aye, because the Abbotsford and Lachlan families have been questioning why ye have been away on this errand when there are threats from the west. This whole endeavor will placate them and nae give them time to stir up any more trouble. And, if they are stirrin' up trouble, word is goin' to get to Conall soon enough too. We need to pull this weed now before it spreads."

"Aye, two days," said William.

He did not wait for a response. He turned, went back to his horse, and mounted it, heading off in the opposite direction of the stables.

"Oi! Where are ye goin'?" asked Cameron as William passed by.

"To speak to the Abbotsfords and Lachlans," shouted William .

He rode his horse out the southern exit of the castle and headed for the town. He got halfway there when Cameron caught up with him on a horse.

"I need to keep ye out of trouble. I ken what yer tongue can be like at times."

"Aye, that is probably for the best," admitted William.

The two men rode into the town, much to the surprise of some women and children out on the streets, and went straight to Hamish Lachlan's house.

William leaped from his mount once again and strode straight to the door of the large stone building. The Laird pounded on the oak and waited for the man of the house to answer.

Hamish Lachlan was a large man with arms as thick as his legs and a stout stomach mostly covered by his braided red beard. Yet, when he answered the door, he shrank back from the Laird as if he were a boy standing in front of his father.

"Lachlan, get out here," demanded the Laird.

William took a few steps back to allow the man to pass him . Hamish did as ordered and looked up and down the street to see who was watching him.

"I've been gone four days, Lachlan. That's all the time it takes for ye to stir up trouble in our clan? Are we nae supposed to be workin' together for the betterment of everyone?"

"Aye, I am workin' for that," claimed Lachlan. "And I wasnae stirrin' up trouble; I was startin' a conversation about the future of the clan and castle."

"A conversation? Aye?" asked William.

"Well, ye have trouble brewin' in the west, and ye are runnin' off in the other direction because of a sick man."

"First, I didnae run off, Lachlan. Secondly, yer mouthin' off about what I am doin' is only givin' rise to more trouble in the west. Cameron is about to ride out to deal with our problem there, but thanks to ye, he might already ken we are comin'. Thirdly, our clan is stronger than ever because of the union with Laird McGunn. Do ye nae think it prudent to make sure the man remains alive for as long as possible? Tell me, Lachlan. What would ye do if ye were Laird?"

And, if me wife needs supportin', I am going to support her.

"Och, I daenae have me eye on that, m'Laird. And I daenae mean to stir up any more trouble; ye have to believe me about that."

"Aye, I daenae believe that ye would, Hamish. I ken that ye love the clan, and I ken ye want it to grow stronger."

"Aye, I do."

"Then will ye please stop actin' so bleedin' stupid!"

Hamish looked shocked momentarily before breaking out into a goofy grin. "I act before I think, I ken that, but it was Brodie who suggested it all."

"I will be havin' words with Brodie Abbotsford right after I am done with ye," stated William. "But daenae ye be blamin' him for all of this. Ye are nae a child, Hamish. Ye are a man, and ye need to act like one. That means takin' the consequences too."

"What would ye have me do, m'Laird?" asked Hamish.

"How many sons do ye have of age?"

"Five strappin' boys," beamed Hamish.

"Cameron heads west in two days and needs men. Two of yer sons will suffice."

Hamish thought about it for a moment before breaking out into an even bigger smile. "Aye, that's fair. Besides, I ken each of me boys will relish gettin' to put the English in their place. What do ye have planned?"

"The less ye ken for now, the better. Now, I'll leave ye to yer day and go talk with Brodie."

"Just… aye, one more thin' before ye do. I ken I was a fool for listenin' to Brodie, and it isnae all his fault, but there was one thin' he was pushin'."

"What was that?"

"There is a rumor goin' around that ye daenae have an heir on the way yet, and some believe ye cannae have a child. I dinnae like to tattle."

"I will have strong words with him," said William. "And ye can tell folk that it isnae true. The castle will be makin' an announcement soon enough."

"Och, that's braw news, m'Laird."

Hamish held out his large hand, and William shook it. He returned to his horse, but he could not ignore the way Cameron stared at him.

"Ye deal with yer problem, and I'll deal with mine," said William.

After tomorrow, it willnae be a problem anymore.