Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

Ahot bath, food and fresh clothing made Aedan feel more like himself. It also gave him plenty of time to decide what he was going to tell the Council. They would, of course, be delighted that he’d changed his mind about attending the Yule festivities at Lachlan’s castle. However, they’d also want to know why he had changed his mind.

He couldn’t tell them he’d been kidnapped by a lass, much less a woman who believed she had the power to see the future. On the other hand, he had to tell them something, and he had to find an excuse for his decision to make the journey with a young woman he barely knew.

Not for the first time, he cursed the fact that he’d taken the vow Thora had asked of him. His agreement to do her no harm in word or deed meant he couldn’t simply tell the Council that she was troubled in the head. And while there were many men of his clan who would believe in a lass who was fey-touched, or blessed by gods or spirits, all of them knew that he had little faith in such things.

Before meeting with the council, he told Mac everything that had occurred in the privacy of his study. He had looked dubious but also more willing to accept the existence of Thora’s gift than Aedan had. They then headed together to the Council chamber. Mac studied Aedan’s face for a moment before they answered. “Have ye decided what ye plan tae tell them? Ye ken they’ll have questions.”

“Aye.” Aedan took a deep breath, straightened his spine, and strode into the chamber.

He did have a plan that might work, but it would be a delicate bit of persuasion, which had never been his strong suit. He preferred to lead with actions and well-considered, solid decisions.

“Me laird. What happened? There were rumors that ye disappeared…”

“I ken what rumors there were. I’ve heard plenty from the guards and the servants. There’s little truth tae them, however.” Aedan took his seat and folded his hands in front of him. “The fact o’ the matter is this - there’s been suspicious activity near our borders, particularly the one we share with Clan Ross. A village lass witnessed it and came tae tell me, though ‘tis possible the weather confused her vision, as she wasnae clear what she saw. Regardless, I went with her tae clarify matters, and I’ve decided on a plan o’ action.”

“And the plan is?” Gareth Mckinnon, one of the border wardens for another area of the clan territory spoke up. “What dae ye intend tae dae?”

“I will travel with the lass - she kens more o’ what she saw, and who, and ‘tis likely she can identify those who might be workin’ against us, even if her memory isnae clear at the moment.”

Aedan took another breath, more to stop himself from scowling than any other reason. “We will go tae Laird Ross’s Yule celebration. There will be a number o’ other lairds and their retainers there, enemies and allies both. ‘Tis hoped the lass can give me names, which we can use tae confront those who might be thinkin’ o’ attacking us. At the very least, we can warn our allies, if they are our enemies. And if, by chance, one o’ our allies is thinkin’ o’ treachery… then we will be forewarned.”

“Dae ye really think our allies would betray us?”

“I think every man’s an ally tae another, till he has reason nae tae be. I’d like tae think we’ve given nay reason for any laird tae raise his hand against us, but I dinnae ken what’s in the minds o’ other men. Better tae be tae cautious than tae careless, I’m thinking.”

He favored the assembled clansmen with a sharp smile that made more than one of them tense with wariness. “In any case, ye already wanted me tae attend the Yule celebration at Castle Ross tae strengthen alliances and the like. Now ye’ll have yer wish. I will however introduce the lass as me wife, or me betrothed at the very least.”

There were gasps and murmurs around the table. The laird continued. “I ken ye dinnae agree, but I am yer laird and I will dae anything I need tae, tae protect our clan, which is unfortunately already in dire straits.”

With that message delivered, he stood. “If ye’ll excuse me, I have preparations tae make fer the journey, and little time tae make them.”

Yule would begin within ten days, which meant he had a seven-day at most to plan, pack, prepare the castle for his absence, communicate the story they would be using to Thora, ensure that she had everything she needed. It was a long list of things that needed doing, and there was nowhere near enough time to complete them all, at least not to his satisfaction.

“Me laird, what o’ me?” Mac followed him as he left the council chambers. “Will I be accompanying ye as well?”

He was tempted to leave Mac at Cameron Castle, just for the comfort of knowing his home was in the hands of someone he trusted.

However, after a moment, common sense told him he needed someone he trusted to guard his back, especially with a crafty lass like Thora around. Furthermore, every guest would be expected to bring at least one retainer, and it would look odd if he arrived without his second-in-command. In fact, Lachlan Ross might take offense, especially if he guessed that it was a lack of trust on his part.

“Ye’ll be accompanying me. The day-watch guard captain can tak’ over training the men - nae that they’ll get much training if the weather continues as it is - and the Council and the steward can manage the rest. Donovan’s capable enough tae manage without both o’ us fer a few days, even during the Yule festivities.”

“Aye, me laird.” Mac sounded resigned, but also relieved. He must have shared Aedan’s misgivings, which in turn reassured Aedan that he was being sensible, not overly cautious.

“Likely as nae, yer lass will need some clothing. She didnae have much with her when she arrived.” Mac’s observation made Aedan groan.

“She’s nae me lass,” Aedan hissed, just as they encountered Thora in the hall. Aedan quickly changed the subject and told her what had been decided. He then turned to his friend.

“Mac, please tell Rhiannon that Thora MacTavish will be attending Yule as Thora Cameron. She needs a wardrobe tae suit her new station. From undergarments tae outer, and everything from informal travel wear tae dresses fer formal feasting and dancing. She can get some girls from the village tae help her.”

“Och, she’ll be well pleased tae hear it, though ye can expect a lecture from her for giving her so little time tae work with.”

“Tell her tae blame it on me bonny lass, fer giving me so little time tae prepare.” Aedan’s smile filled Thora with foreboding.

“I didnae…”

“Come along now, Lady Cameron.” The man-at-arms offered her a sweeping bow. “If we’re tae get ye an entire wardrobe ready afore we depart, then best we seek out Miss Rhiannon at once. And apologies, me lady. I’ve nae yet introduced meself yet. Mac Sinclair, Laird Aedan’s second-in-command. I’ll be travelin’ with ye tae Ross Castle.” He gestured to the corridor.

Thora followed him with a great deal of trepidation. She had a feeling that Aedan Cameron was about to get his revenge for the way she’d ambushed him about the necessity of posing as a married couple for Yule.

Aedan smirked as he watched Mac escort Thora toward Rhiannon’s work rooms. He loved the seamstress - she had a friendly personality and a true gift for making anything and everything into something presentable, as well as reusing fabrics in a way that made them look as if they were all new - but when she was focused on her work, she could be terrifying.

And with so much to do, she’d be focused on Thora for most, if not all, of the next seven days, until they departed for Ross Castle. Which meant he would have some peace, and time to devote to other matters.

In other circumstances, he might have felt a bit guilty about sending Thora into a wolf’s den. Considering the situation she’d forced him into, however, he felt entirely justified. That it also made his mood somewhat lighter as he made his way toward his office to begin working on the thousand and one details he needed to take care of before leaving was an extra benefit he appreciated.

Usually, when he planned a trip beyond scouting the borders of his lands or visiting a village to inspect a reported problem that needed his attention, he had weeks - if not months - of prior warning. With only a few days before he had to depart, everything he would usually spend a fortnight or more arranging took on more urgency.

It didn’t help that it all had to be done in the midst of Yule preparations for his own clan, and that he now had to find someone to fulfill his usual duties for the season, such as appointing a Laird of Misrule, traditional blessings for the season, leading the Winterfest Hunt, and lighting the Yule Log. It wasn’t as if he could simply appoint his steward to those tasks, and any choices he made were bound to spark controversy.

The best thing to do, he decided, was divide the duties among his Council. Each could have some ceremonial role in his stead. Hopefully, that would be enough to keep any of them from taking offense - he knew quite well that if he appointed any one man to all his duties, there would be complaints of favoritism.

The younger members of the Council could take over the more active duties, such as the Hunt and the Laird of Misrule. The Elders could take on the less taxing responsibilities, such as the blessings and lighting the Yule Log. The Council as a whole could decide among themselves who would manage the smaller matters, such as opening the feast, and ordering the Yuletide candles lit for Midwinter Eve.

He was just writing out his thoughts on the matter when the door to his study opened and Mac slipped inside. Aedan finished the sentence he was writing, then looked up at his second in command. “Ye’ve delivered the lass tae Rhiannon?”

“Aye. When I left Rhiannon was already workin’ herself intae a frenzy. I’ve nay doubt she’ll get everythin’ done that needs doing, but ye can expect a scolding when next she sees ye.”

Aedan sighed, but his heart wasn’t in it. Rhiannon was too lively and personable for her scolds to have much force behind them. Besides, a plate of honey cakes would soothe her mood quickly enough.

Mac stepped closer to the desk, then settled into the chair across from Aedan with the air of a man steeling himself for an uncomfortable discussion. “We need tae speak about the lass - Thora.”

“If this is about her taking me away last night…”

“’Tis nae. Though I’m still fair furious the guards didnae stop her. I’ll be havin’ words with them later. But there are more urgent concerns tae be addressed.”

Aedan raised an eyebrow. “More urgent concerns than the fact I was kidnapped from me own rooms by a woman?”

“Since she returned ye, and ye’ve already made a public statement that ye were complicit in the matter?” Mac’s smooth retort made Aedan tip his head in acknowledgment. “Aye. Fer example, the fact ye said she’s tae be attending Laird Ross’s Yule with ye as Lady Cameron.”

Mac’s heavy emphasis on the last two words was enough to make Aedan set aside the quill he was writing with. “Aye. She suggested it as a ruse tae prevent Lachlan Ross from kenning that we suspect him o’ plotting again’ his neighboring clans, and I had nae better suggestion tae counter it.”

“All well and good, but ‘tis nae the issue I wish tae raise with ye.” Mac leaned forward in his seat, his eyes earnest. “How dae ye plan tae make sure Ross believes ye? And how dae ye plan tae keep the clan and Council from descending intae confusion on the matter? Wouldnae it be best that ye create a story around what ye have already mentioned tae the Council?”

Aedan blinked. “How dae ye mean?”

Mac snorted. “The rumors will be thicker than goose feathers in a pillow round the castle within a candlemark. ‘Twill be twice as bad if - or when - ye return without a Lady Cameron at yer side. If Laird Ross doesnae suspect yer ruse when ye arrive, he will afore the festivities are over.”

Aedan frowned. “Thora suggested we have it whispered about that we wished tae have a small, rushed wedding because her mother was very ill. As far as the council kens, we started caring fer each other when we scouted the land and it is developing intae something more now. So the idea of marriage will not come as much as surprise anymore.”

“Well enough fer soothing curiosity about the wedding, but ‘twillnae serve if ye dinnae begin acting the part afore ye leave.” Mac’s words were blunt and hit home like strikes from a practice blade.

“What are ye saying? That I should be keepin’ the lass in me chambers - or in me bed?”

“Neither, though if ye’re both agreeable tae it and decide tae make that part o’ the ruse, I’ll have naething tae say about it.” Mac’s response made Aedan’s ears burn. He’d meant his own statement as a quip.

Now his mind was filled with the image of Thora, standing in his bedroom in her simple linen shift, her skin soft under his hands. He recalled the sweetness of her lips, the way she’d leaned into his kiss…

“Ye like her well enough tae bed her.” Mac observed. Aedan flushed and hurriedly shoved thoughts of Thora’s delicate porcelain skin and luminous blue eyes out of his head.

“I did afore she drugged me. She’s a bonny looking lass, fer all her strangeness.”

“Well enough, but it wasnae the point I was after makin’, me laird.” Mac paused, and Aedan gestured for him to continue. “Tae truly make people believe yer ruse, ye need tae start upholding appearances. Rooms close tae yers, across the hall or right beside. A seat beside ye at the table. Speak tae her as if she’s yer bride… or at least yer lover. I can start rumors among the guards that she’s a village lass ye’ve been visiting when ye go out on patrols, and ‘tis why she sought ye out instead o’ informing a scout or a guard o’ her concerns. But ye’ll never convince anyone ye’re married, least o’ all Lachlan Ross, if ye dinnae dae at least that much.”

Aedan felt his heart sinking with every word. He’d intended - or rather, vaguely considered - that he and Thora would mostly ignore each other until it was time to depart. Aside from appropriate clothing, he’d entertained only the haziest of notions of how to play the part of being a man recently wedded to a lovely lass.

But now that he was thinking about it, he knew Mac was right. There was no way any ruse of marriage would survive even the most casual of investigations if both he and Thora were unused to the parts they needed to play. And if Lachlan Ross suspected they were attempting to deceive him, there would be dire consequences - far worse than whatever Thora’s dreams might have led her to imagine.

He scowled at the fire beyond Mac’s shoulder and resisted the urge to drop his head onto the desk. It would only scatter his paperwork and give him a headache. “Make the necessary arrangements in regards tae her rooms and send a servant tae tell her she’ll be expected at dinner, so we can begin tae settle intae our roles.”

Mac rose with a speed that suggested his man-at-arms was well aware of the mood his words had provoked and was quite content to escape and leave his laird to brood. “Aye.”

Alone in his study, Aedan leaned back in his chair, then rose to collect a bottle of whisky and a glass. He rarely drank, but he felt the current situation called for it.

It seems matters keep getting more complicated with every passing candlemark. I just hope I can manage tae stay focused on what needs tae be done.