Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Six weeks had passed since the day Finn had taken over the lairdship for Clan Mackay. There were some difficult moments, but the person he turned to most of the time to discuss problems was Alison. She was smart, fair, honest, and hard when she needed to be.

He had no problem sharing control, and Alison said more than once that, not only did she love him, she knew in her heart he would never abandon her.

The laird had sent James with a hundred warriors to Castle Sinclair Grinigoe to bring the agreed upon amount of coin and the deed for the land they'd agreed upon. Nothing further was said about it.

He'd just stripped off all his clothes and climbed into the bed, exhausted as usual. Alison rolled to her side, propping her head up with her raised-up hand. "Are ye too tired tonight, my laird?"

He grinned and pulled her close. "Nay, ne'er too tired for my wife." He took her in a very possessive kiss, thanking God every day that they'd misbehaved in the stables and were forced to marry.

She pulled back and drew circles on his chest, tugging at the short hairs. "Before we start, there is something I wish to tell ye."

"Aye?"

She grinned. "Ye're going to be a da in about six months."

He shook his head and gave her a soft smile. "I thought my life could no' be any more perfect."

That was the last they spoke until the next morning.

Finn arose, washed and dressed and studied his sleeping wife. The soon-to-be mother of his bairn.

He left his bedchamber and, as soon as he hit the bottom of the staircase, one of the maids approached him. "My laird, The Mackay wishes to speak with ye. I was sent to find ye."

"Thank ye." He took the stairs two at a time to return to the bedchamber floor.

The room smelled like death. Ever since the laird had turned over the lairdship to him, the man had rapidly deteriorated. ‘Twas almost as if he had completely given up on life.

"Ye wished to see me, my laird?"

He waved Finn over. "Aye, pull up that chair." He nodded at the wooden chair against the wall.

"There is something I need to show ye before I die." He held up his hand as Finn opened his mouth to dispute him.

"Nay. I ken my time grows near." He stopped for a minute seeming to catch his breath. "My daughter is well taken care of as well as my clan. The council tells me ye are doing a wonderful job."

Uncomfortable with the praise, since he knew how many mistakes he'd made and all the times he almost messed up, he nodded.

The laird reached over to his side and pulled out the document that Laird Sinclair had shown to him the last time they all sat together.

Without saying a word, he handed it to Finn. "Read it."

Finn ran his eyes over the parchment, his mouth growing dry as he continued on. When he finished, he looked up at the laird. "Yer sons were about to lead an insurrection against the king."

"Aye. I canno' believe they would have been so foolish. If they'd been caught, and if anyone found this letter between them and other members of the group, they would have been hanged for treason."

He looked out the window at the rare sunny weather. "We also would have had our lands, coin, and resources taken from us. The clan would have eventually been absorbed by other clans. This king, and his followers, are too strong."

"I wonder how the Sinclair got this," Finn said, nodding to the paper.

"Blackmail I'm sure. He's known for having many sources to gather information for him. He, obviously, did no' have this at the time of the original betrothal agreement or he would have asked for much more."

There wasn't much for Finn to say. William and Bryan had made a terrible choice. The restored king had been on the throne for two years already.

The laird continued. "I've wondered since I saw this if my sons were not killed in battle by our own men if they were aware of their involvement in this potential disaster. I always wondered why both of them, excellent warriors, would be brought down in battle."

The laird took a deep breath and turned to him. "I ask a favor of ye, Finn."

Finn nodded.

"Doona tell my daughter about this."

Finn ran his hand down his face. "We doona have secrets from each other."

"Good. Good," the laird said. "I agree, but there is no reason for their sister to ken how close they came to bringing us all down. She admired them so much. It would be devastating for her."

He thought of the bairn she was carrying and how this information might harm her. "Aye, in this instance, I will no' tell her about this."

"I have one more request. As soon as ye leave this room, burn that document."

Finn nodded as The Mackay drifted off to sleep. Finn left the room, burned the document and headed to his bedchamber to see if his wife was awake.

She was just opening her eyes as he approached the bed. "Good morn, wife."

She smiled at him and his heart almost burst with love. "Good morn, husband."

He sat alongside her on the bed. "The sun is shining, my love. Do ye wish to take a ride?"

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Here's an excerpt from Never Marry a Highlander .

Prologue

"I am your brother. Since I would fight to the finish to save yer life on the battlefield, why wouldn't I help ye out with the most important matter of yer life?" Craig MacKay sat across from his brother, Laird Robin MacKay as they shared a jug of whisky.

"Yer speaking of tying yerself to a woman ye don't ken that well—and doona even seem to like—for the rest of yer life." Robin stared at him; his shoulders slumped in defeat. Very unlike him, who as laird for the past four years, was a strong, fair, and powerful man and clan chieftain.

Robin had been forced to sign a betrothal agreement with Lady Lorena Gordon, widowed sister of Laird David Gunn. The wedding was in five days and since the soon-to-be bride had threatened to kill herself rather than suffer what her brother had planned for her if Robin didn't go through with the wedding, it had left him no choice.

"I've told ye before. Marriage means no'hing to me. I never expected to marry, and if I took yer place, I would marry the lass, bed her, and then continue on with my life just as before."

Robin took a sip of whisky. "Even though I want verra much to have ye step up, I must tell ye that yer idea of marriage will no' work. Women want attention, caring, ye need to listen to them, agree with what ye can."

"Who made ye such an expert on marriage?" Craig asked. He waved his hand at his brother. "I shall ride to Clyth Castle at first light. I will convince The Gunn that taking me in yer place is in everyone's best interest."

His brother's demeanor changed from crushed to hopeful. "Do ye really think Gunn would allow it?"

It had torn his heart these past couple of weeks watching his brother accept the pending marriage to Lady Lorena when he was in love with Helena Ross. Once she'd learned that Robin had signed the betrothal agreement, she left for Dornoch Castle where she had lived most of her life and before she visited them at Dun Ugadale to assist her sister with the birth of her first bairn. Robin had been unlike himself since she left, and Craig had come up with the idea of taking his place.

"Aye, The Gunn will allow it because ye ken how charming I can be. I get the impression he wants Lorena off his hands and an alliance with the MacKays. He'll get both whether he marries her off to ye or me."

"If ye think ye can do this, I am riding in the opposite direction to Dornoch Castle the minute ye leave."

Craig stood and stretched. "Aye. 'Tis the best of ideas. Once my wedding is o'er, I will drop Lorena off here and continue with the search for the brigands who have been stealing from us and harassing our people."

Robin looked for a moment as if he would say something, but then thinking better of it, walked up to him and gave him a brother's hug. "Thank ye, Craig." With a bright smile he left the room and Craig poured himself another whisky.

So, he was to be married. He lifted a glass in a toast to himself.

Chapter One

September 1661

Craig, his cousin Giles MacKay and the six guards he brought with him approached Clyth Castle, the MacKay banner flapping in the wind as they rode. It was a typical Highland late summer day, but this one without rain. They'd had a dry trip from Dun Ugadale.

Giles looked around the area, taking in the hills and the brooch itself, and turned toward Craig. "Looks safe enough. I can think of a few things I would change."

Craig laughed. His cousin, who was as close to him as his two brothers, was always looking for problems and issues before they arose. It made him an excellent guardsman and someone Craig always wanted to go with him on trips.

"Who goes there?" A guard above them called down as they grew close to the castle wall.

Craig looked up, wanting to roll his eyes at the man's question since they obviously flew their banner. "Craig MacKay, brother to Laird Robin MacKay and Giles MacKay, cousin to The MacKay."

The guardsman waved him on, and they entered the outer bailey. The area was filled with vendors and crofters, along with clansfolk who moved from vendor to vendor, examining their goods.

Knox Gunn, the laird's son strode toward them, as tall and rigid as always. Craig couldn't actually say he liked the man, since he really hadn't spent much time with him, but he looked like someone he would want to be on his side of a battle. "We were expecting yer laird." He looked around Craig as if Robin hid behind him. Craig slapped Knox on his back and moved him forward. "I understand that. However, I need to speak with yer da."

Knox drew away. "I hope ye're not planning on causing problems. The wedding is in two days, yer brother should be here verra soon."

Craig placed his hands on his hips. "About that…"

"Did I just see The MacKay ride in?" Laird David Gunn walked to where the men stood. and frowned "Where is yer brother?"

Craig glanced at his cousin and decided that he was probably looking for trouble. Nevertheless, his playful side came out that charmed the lasses so much. "I would say right about now Robin is in the middle of his wedding to Miss Helena Ross."

Knox growled, and Craig remembered that when the Gunns had visited the MacKay clan a few weeks before, Knox seemed to have feelings for Helena. Laird Gunn withdrew his sword as did Knox and the five guards standing behind him. Craig heard the sound of his men drawing their swords. Craig raised his hands. "I doona come to just give ye bad news." He paused for a minute, then said, "I am here to take my brother's place."

Gunn stared at him, and if he was surprised, it didn't show on the man's face. As a good laird and warrior, The Gunn kept his thoughts to himself, and likewise from his face. He waved toward the keep. "We shall discuss this in my study." The men all returned their swords to their scabbards and followed Gunn and his men.

Craig realized he could be headed to the dungeon, but considering how adamant Gunn appeared when he'd requested a match between his sister and Robin, he was almost certain the laird was interested in hearing what Craig had to say.

At least he hoped his instinct was correct. He had no problem with him and his men fighting their way out of the keep if it was only Gunn, Knox and the guardsmen surrounding their laird, since the MacKay warriors were well-known for their success in battle, but taking on all the warriors at the Gunn fortress, getting away would be challenging.

They all trooped up the stairs and down another corridor to a large room at the end. Comfortable chairs surrounded a hearth with a small fire burning. Even though it was near the end of the summer, the older castles were cold even then.

Gunn's men and Craig's guard stood along the wall. Craig, Giles, The Gunn, and Knox sat in wooden chairs surrounding a well-worn table. "Now what is this about ye taking the place of the laird in the agreement we made."

Craig leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "I am no' one to e'er expect to have this issue, but it seems Laird MacKay is in love with another woman. I ken, as does he, that his duty is to his clan, but seeing the misery of my brother, I offered to take his place."

The Gunn stared at him, and then shook his head. "I doona understand foregoing yer responsibility for something as foolish as love. He could have made this lass his leman and carried forward on our agreement."

Giles stepped in. "Miss Ross is no' the leman type. She is currently residing at Dornoch Castle, under the protection of the Sutherland Laird. She spent almost her entire life there, being raised by her aunt. If The MacKay made the lass his leman—which I ken he was no' likely to do—it would have brought down the rath of the entire Sutherland Clan."

Silence reigned for a few minutes while Gunn sat and stared at his fingers splayed on the table in front of him. He looked up and said, "Why should I agree to this?"

"Do ye want to find a husband for yer sister?"

The Gunn nodded.

"Do ye want an alliance with the MacKays?"

The laird folded his hands and leaned forward. "Aye. I ken all that, but breaking a betrothal agreement is an insult. How do ye plan to make up for that?"

Craig shrugged. "I am no' authorized to offer any recompense except to marry yer sister."

The Gunn was not stupid. He had to know if he sent Craig away with threats of a coming battle, it would be a foolish move. He might feel slighted, but he also wanted an alliance with the MacKays and turning down this offer was no' the best idea for him or his clan.

"This turn of events must be given time for me to consider it."

"If ye wish me to speak with yer sister, I am happy to do that. If she accepts my offer, it might ease yer mind."

The man actually threw his head back and laughed. "I care no' about Lorena's feelings or thoughts in this matter." He thumped his chest with his thumb. "She is my possession and I decide what happens to her. She will do what she is ordered."

Any slight dislike Craig had for the laird turned into a very strong dislike. Robin had told him the lass had been beaten by her brother as well as her dead husband, Avery Gordon. How a man could take his fists to someone who is in their care and protection went against everything Craig believed in. He also knew that The Gunn had told Robin if he didn't marry Lorena he would marry the lass off to a brutal laird in a small clan in the lowlands. A man who already buried two wives who both died in 'accidents.'

The laird stood. "I expect ye to stay until I make a decision."

Craig nodded. "Aye. My men and I will stay outside the castle."

"Nay," Gunn said. "Ye will stay in the castle. I will have a maid prepare a bedroom for ye and yer cousin."

He really didn't care for the sound of that. It was almost as if they were being held prisoners. Craig shifted in his chair, making sure his dirk was close to his hand. "We will stay outside the castle. There is no reason to deny our request. We arrived here of our own free will with an honest offer. We have no intention of fleeing and do no' wish to be treated as prisoners."

Knox leaned over and spoke to his father, low enough that Craig didn't hear him. The man continued to stare at Giles and Craig. "Verra well. Ye can stay outside the castle until I decide."

Craig nodded. "I would request time to speak with Lady Gordon."

***

Lady Lorena Gordon stared at herself in the looking glass in her bedchamber. She'd seen the MacKays ride in a little while ago. So this was it. She was to marry Robin MacKay and spend the rest of her life at Dun Ugadale. There were no regrets in leaving Clyth Castle. She'd never been happy here.

Bluidy hell , she'd never been happy anywhere. When her mam and da died after their carriage slid off a bridge, plunging them both into the swollen river below, she'd lost the one person who had ever cared about her.

Her mam may not have been overly attentive, but at least she knew who she was. Once she collided with her da in a corridor when she was about seven years and he didn't know her and shoved her away in annoyance, complaining about bairns running around loose in the castle.

Her brother, David, now the laird, had been away fostering most of her life and when he returned to take over their da's duties, he immediately began looking for a husband for her. ‘Twas the cook who reminded him Lorena was only ten and three years.

David was nice to her on occasion, but most times ignored her also unless he was in a foul mood and then she would feel his fists. She had learned soon after his return to stay out of his way.

She had foolishly high hopes when she did marry at the age of ten and six, but her husband was brutal. The best thing he'd done for her was to die after only two years of marriage.

What was it about her that made her so unlovable? She never asked for much. Like all young lasses, she liked the attention of the guardsmen, of finding a coin or two in her brother's study to buy something shiny when the vendors came around and speaking with the village girls.

It was right before her marriage to that beast Avery Gordon that the girls she'd been gossiping and shopping with found out she was the laird's sister. "We thought ye were one of the castle maids," Kiley said. She narrowed her eyes and studied Lorena. "Ye doona look like the laird's sister!"

"Nay. We have different mothers. I think David looks like his mother and I've been told I look like mine."

Kiley laughed. "It must have been quite annoying to yer da to have two bairns and neither one look like him."

Lorena smiled at herself in the looking glass, remembering the good times she'd had with the village girls. Once she returned from her marriage, she didn't have the desire to search them out. She knew they were probably happily married with maybe even a bairn or two.

She didn't want to see their happiness. Not that she begrudged them their husbands, but she knew in her heart that kind of happiness would never be hers.

Now she was once again being shoved off onto a laird who not only didn't want her but was in love with another woman. She'd heard the stories when she had visited Dun Ugadale with her brother. Mayhap she should do as she told The MacKay and jump off the bridge into the river where her parents had drowned.

She laid her head on her folded arms and cursed the one tear that slid down her cheek. ‘Twas just one more in a stream of them she'd cried over the years. Just as she sat up and wiped her cheeks there was a knock at the door.

This was it. ‘Twas time to do her duty and marry another man who would also ignore her while he pined for a lost love.

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