A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) (12 page)

Andrew led her to a stone bench under a rose arbor covered
with a few remaining white roses awash in the moonlight. He released her arm,
but stood close as Maidie picked a blossom and smelled deeply of the fragrance.
She had not smelled such roses in a long time. They reminded her of home and
the garden of her father’s manor house. A wave of nostalgia passed through
Maidie and she shivered. Andrew noticed the shiver.

“Are you cold? Do you wish to go inside?” he asked turning
Maidie toward him and looking into her eyes.

“Nae, M’Laird, I’m only thinking of my home and the rose garden
there.” A thought of her mother flashed across her memory.

“This is your home now, Madam. May I call you Maidie?” She
could not see the silver of his eyes, but felt their intensity on her.

“Aye,” she whispered.

“Thank you. Please call me Andrew. Let’s dispense of the
formalities, since you will be living here.” He smiled. “I hope you will come
to love and cherish this home as much as the one you left.”

She turned her eyes away from his piercing ones. “That was the
home of my childhood, M’Laird, I canna forget it.”

He released her arms. “Sit with me for awhile. Let’s not talk
of the past but of the present and future.” He motioned toward the stone bench.

Maidie took a seat on the cold stone. He sat beside her with
his large frame crowding closely. She could feel the warmth of his body, and
listened to his steady breathing. His thigh rubbed against hers. In the
intensity of the moment, she forgot about the home of her father, as heat and
nervousness replaced the nostalgia. He sat quietly for awhile, took her hand,
and once again placed her arm inside of his.

“Are you cold, Maidie? Your hand is like ice on my arm.” He
covered her cold hand on his warm one. “Tell me what you think of living here
among Munros. Do you hate us as your kin seem to?” He turned to search her face
in the moonlight with dark veiled eyes—the strong jaw outlined with a
silver thread.

“I loved living with my husband among his kin while he lived.
I made good friends in the village.” She tried to see his reaction, but could
see only the darkness. “Or I did have good friends in the village. They seem to
hate me now.”

“This hatred will vanish soon. I have plans for bringing peace
among our clans. I also, hate war and fighting. My heart yearns for peace so
that our wee ones can grow up to know their das. We canna put our whole hearts
into becoming a prosperous clan if we are always called upon to fight, and
others are stealing our cattle.”

Maidie heard the sincerity in his voice. “Aye. Peace is the only
way to prosperity. I pray for peace every day.”

“Thank you for your prayers, Maidie.” He patted her hand. “They
mean more to me than I can tell you. Do you pray for me?”

“Aye, I pray for all of your family.” She turned to look at
his profile, stark in the dim moonlight.

He turned toward her, his face close. “My family needs your
prayers, ‘tis true, but I need you to pray especially for me. There are things
that must be settled and some hard decisions to make. Sometimes, I almost
believe there is a God to hear, especially when one such as you comes into my
life.”

Maidie whispered, “Aye. I will pray you come to believe. God
is the only one who can help with your hard decisions.”

He stared ahead. They sat without talking for a time, then he
asked while continuing to look out over the moonscape, “What pleases you,
Maidie? What gives you joy?”

She answered immediately, “My son. He is my heart. I take
great pleasure in him.”

“I can see that you do. He’s a fine lad, he is, and will grow
to be an even finer warrior with the proper training.” She could see an upward
curve to his mouth, but she did not like his statement.

“Nae. I mean, I’m hoping Sven will be educated.” Her voice
caught in her throat.

He turned toward her again, without a smile. “A fine lad such
as Sven should be taught to read and figure. The skills will serve him well
someday, but he should also be able to defend himself. To do that, he must
learn the skills of a warrior. This is a hard and cruel world, sometimes,
Maidie. You ken such. A man must defend himself and his family.”

Suddenly, before she could answer, he rose and pulled her to
stand. “Come. ‘Tis getting colder.”

She hesitated but ventured to question, “I would ask you M’Laird,
before we go from this lovely garden, if I may replenish the healing herbs I
lost?”

“Too many questions still remain unanswered. I shall think on
the matter.” He placed her arm in the crook of his, then escorted her from the
fragrant garden.

The great hall of the keep felt warm from the fires. The smell
of food and the bodies of twenty or more people lingered in the air. Everyone
but the servants had retired. Angus remained at the head table, talking with a
member of the chief’s
luchd-taighe
. He turned to watch Andrew and Maidie
make their way up the stairs. Maidie tried not to look at Angus, but could not
help noticing the sinister expression on the physician’s face.

Andrew led Maidie to her chamber. He nodded toward Tavish who
stood beside the door, then opened the door for her to enter. Sven lay in the
bed dressed in a nightshirt. He played with a wooden man holding a sword.
Nellie stood beside the fire and curtsied when she saw them.

“Sven will be in safe keeping here in the castle. No need to
worry about his welfare,” the chief said. “You will also be safe, and I want you
to replenish your remedies. The castle garden is at your disposal.”

Maidie felt a lump form in her throat. “Thank you so verra
much. I canna express my gratitude, but how will Angus feel about me intruding
upon his territory?”

“No need to worry about Angus. He has plenty of work to keep
him busy.” Andrew smiled, took her hand and brushed the back of it with his
warm lips. “Thank you, Maidie, for saving my life.
Oidhche mhath, a nighean
mhaiseach
.” He turned and left the chamber, closing the door behind him.

Maidie stood for a moment smiling at the closed door and
rubbing her hand. She put the back of her hand to her lips where the warmth of
his kiss lingered. “Good night to you, my handsome chief.”

Maidie turned to her son and watched him play with the
miniature warrior. Living in the castle would not be good for Sven, but what
could she do? She needed to find a way to leave soon. Her father was an officer
in the Cameron chief’s
sluagh
,
but only a few combatants dwelt in his home. At least in her father’s house,
Sven would not be exposed to so much fighting.

Chapter Ten

Andrew asked Tavish who stood guard at
Maidie’s bedchamber door, “Have you seen Gavin?”

“Nae, M’Laird. I haven’t seen him since he left the great hall.”

“If he comes this way, send him to the library.”

Tavish nodded. Andrew eyed the young warrior. “How fair you,
Tavish? Acting as bodyguard to such a lively lass may be more difficult than
guarding me.”

“Aye, ‘tis hard, it is, but I manage.” The young lad smiled. “She
doesn’t like me tagging along after her, but I pay her no heed.”

Even in the dimness, Andrew could see lights dancing in the
lad’s eyes. “Mind you only guard her, Tavish,” he warned.

A line formed a crease between the young warrior’s eyes. “Aye,
M’Laird. Guarding only is my intent. I have no designs on the madam except for
her safety.”

“Mind you stick by that rule, Tavish.”

“Aye, M’Laird.” Tavish nodded his head in understanding, the
smile leaving his face.

Andrew turned to walk away. He didn’t wish an affair going on
between the healer and her bodyguard. Perhaps he should change the guard. She
wanted to be left alone, but that option left her too vulnerable to those who
were trying to harm or mayhap kidnap her and the lad. Until he could find the
source of the mischief against her, she must put up with a bodyguard.

Andrew opened the door to the library to find Davina slumped
in a leather chair before the fire. She seemed in deep thought. He crossed the
chamber to take the chair across from her. She looked up, but didn’t smile.

“I wanna marry that MacKenzie, so dinna bother to ask me
again,” she said with a tight mouth and spewing the words between her teeth. “You
and Gavin may as well give up on that plan and find another means to bring
peace between the clans.”

“Sister, you will do as I say. You’re eighteen and of marrying
age, so you might as well make up your mind to at least consider the plan. I
wanna change mine.” Andrew swallowed hard and tried to curb the anger rising in
his throat. Every lass dealt with of late balked at his wishes. If this sister
were one of his men, he would have her whipped. “The MacKenzie and Cameron
chiefs have been invited to a feast on the Samhain. You will meet the lad then.
I hear he’s comely, and a fine warrior. We will discuss the matter further
after the feast.”

Davina rose from the chair with tears welling in her eyes. “I
love another. I wanna marry the MacKenzie.”

Her outburst took Andrew aback. Is she a marred woman now? “Sit
down, Davina,” he ordered. “Who is this lover of yours? Have you been intimate
with him?”

She started for the door. Andrew rose and grabbed her arm,
spinning her around to face him. Fury filled his head. “Dinna walk away from
me.” His fist clenched, ready to reach out and slap the youthful cheek, but her
tears melted his anger. Instead, he wrapped her in his arms. “You’re so young,
dear Davina. So young. Little do you know of life’s hardships. You’ve lived a
sheltered life here in this castle with your family, but this one thing you
must learn—you canna have your way about all things. Leaving your home to
make one in a strange place is a frightening thought, but look at Maidie. She
left her home to marry Kenneth and come to this strange place.”

“Maidie loved Kenneth. I dinna love the MacKenzie.” She
sobbed.

“Give the lad a chance.” Andrew stroked her thick dark hair.

“I love another.” She buried her head in his chest.

He pushed her away to look into her eyes while holding both
her arms. “Who is this lover of yours?”

“He is no’ my lover, but I love him all the same. I will take
him as my lover and my husband if he would consent.”

“You’ve asked him to wed you?” Andrew gasped. His sister was
more exasperating to deal with than the healer.

“Aye, but he wanna.” Davina stared into his eyes then. “Dinna
ask me who he is, because I wanna tell, and I made him swear to no’ tell.”

“Saints above, Sister. You will be the death of me yet.”
Andrew remembered the expression on Davina’s face while she danced with Tavish.
A loyal
luchd-taighe
such as the young warrior would not take advantage
of Davina, but the temptation may become too great if she persisted in her
pursuit; however, Tavish seemed taken with Maidie. The time had come to find
the lad another assignment in a distant place on the estate.

Gavin opened the door to the library. Andrew and Davina looked
in his direction as he burst through the door. Andrew turned to meet him. “Saints
alive, Gavin....”

“I come from Drumainn. On the way back spotted the gleam of a
fire in the direction of Swordale. The reivers are raiding and burning, again.”

“Gather the men. We’ll meet them this night and put a stop to
the reiving.” Andrew’s order came swiftly. The two men quickly left Davina in
the library to go their separate ways and secure weapons, armor, and spread the
alarm.

Andrew saw Tavish lying across the threshold of Maidie’s door,
wrapped in his great plaide, and sleeping soundly. The lad certainly took his
job seriously, or did he covet being near the lass? Probably both.

Andrew gently kicked the young warrior in the side. Tavish
quickly roused and sat up. When he saw his chief, he stood with the top of his
plaide hanging down around his knees, his hair disheveled, and a question on
his face.

Andrew smiled. “Some watchman you are, Tavish. But never mind,
you’ve had a busy night, and a young mon needs sleep.”

He knew the lad couldn’t stay awake at all times to keep
guard, and he did lie across the threshold as a good watchman would do. No one
could enter except through him.

“Reivers are close. You’re needed. We’re going now, so get yourself
ready. I’ll tell the lady what’s going on and send Nellie to be with her.”
Andrew knocked on the door while Tavish left to make ready.

After a short time and with another knock, Maidie opened the
door while wiping sleep from her eyes, dressed in a quickly donned robe opened
down the front to expose a white shift. With mussed hair hanging loosely about
white shoulders and the blush of sleep upon her face, Andrew thought her to be
strikingly beautiful. A wicked thought about removing that robe and shift
flashed through his mind. He shook his head to clear it.

“Madam, I’m in need of Tavish this night. Nellie and Alan will
be coming to stay with you. His leg is nae healed sufficiently for another
battle.” Maidie, now awake, looked puzzled. Andrew explained, “We’ve reivers
about, and must go out to meet them.”
Killing
as many as we can.
“I must take my leave now. Alan and Nellie will be with you
shortly.”

Andrew bowed his head, backed up a step, then turned to leave
with Maidie still in the doorway. He couldn’t take time to flirt.

Colin, already dressed for battle, waited beside Andrew’s
chamber door. The
gille
entered the
chamber with Andrew to assist him in dressing. He donned a great plaide with
knee-high white wool stockings, calf-high leather boots, and a leather
ionar
over a linen
léine
. Colin tied
Andrew’s shoulder length hair with a thong, then fastened a broadsword’s
leather sheath across his chest with the sword hanging under his left arm.
Andrew pushed a sharp
sgian dubh
in a boot and secured a loaded, primed
pistol in the large leather belt around his waist next to the sporran that held
the extra shot. Colin hung a powder horn over Andrew’s neck and across his
chest. The two men left the chamber, making their way to the torch-lit bailey
where twenty mounted warriors waited.