Dangerous Pride (12 page)

Seafield’s expression was cold, his voice devoid of emotion when he continued.  “You are no longer my daughter, Catriona.  When the sheriff arrives tomorrow, I will let him do with you as he sees fit.  You are dead to me, lass – as dead to me as yer sister.”

The last thing Catriona saw before her knees swayed beneath her was the look of satisfaction that etched Calum Leslie’s handsome face.

Time lost all meaning for Catriona as she lay sprawled on the coverlet of her bed, her mind frantically racing to process all that had transpired in such a brief span.  Her eyes, puffy and swollen from countless tears, struggled to focus on the person who was pushing back the door and entering her darkened room.  Tension shot through her body until she realized she had nothing to fear from this visitor.

“I brought ye some food, Catriona.  Ye really must try tae eat,” Annella said, her tone gentle as she placed a tray on the writing desk.  “Ye have tae keep yer strength up, so we can figure a way out of this fankle.”

Catriona raised herself on the edge of the bed, rubbing her palms over her eyes as she willed herself to control her grief and fear.  Her hair was a stringy mess, damp and tangled from her tears.  Her head throbbed so badly that she could feel the blood pulsing through the veins in her skull.  The thought of eating anything only made her nausea worse.  “I really canna bear the thought of food, Annella,” she said finally, the ghost of a smile on her pale lips.  “As much as I appreciate yer kindness,  I do no’ think I could keep aught down.”

Having lit several candles to brighten the room, Annella perched herself on the edge of Catriona’s bed.  “Why no’ try just a few bites while ye tell me what happened?  I ken what the rest of the keep is saying, but I would rather hear it from yer lips.”  Not wanting to disappoint her friend, Catriona took a few spoonfuls of the hot broth while she explained the day’s devastating events.  Annella’s sad eyes were bright with concern and sympathy, though the tense set of her jaw betrayed her fear for her friend.

“An’ Seafield accepted every word that sprang from Leslie’s lying mouth?” Annella demanded, outraged that a man could turn so quickly on his own get.

“He was fair convincing, Annie, and in truth I think my father is too overcome to ken his own mind right now.”

Annella’s huff of indignation made it clear where she stood on the matter.  “Still, he did no’ have tae send for the sheriff.  This matter could have been handled within the clan, like it always is.  There’s nay reason others should ken of it.”

“I think he felt that if he did no’ do this, he would lose the respect of the other clans.  A man who canna control his own daughter is hardly a man others will follow gladly.”

Annella raised her hand, brushing Catriona’s hair from her eyes as she studied her.  “It is just like ye tae make excuses for him.”

“What else can I do?” Catriona asked quietly, pushing her tray aside.  “I’m sure my da will see reason soon enough.  There’s naught I can do about it, anyway,” she said with a sigh of resignation.

Annella’s expression darkened for a moment before she replied.  “I ken how difficult and unfair this is, but please understand that ye canna afford tae waste any time on self-pity.  Everything has changed now. Yer in a mess, an’ if we canna find a way out of it, I fear for what will happen to ye.”

Catriona recognized the truth in Annella’s words, no matter how painful it was. In her heart she knew she could afford the luxury of detachment no longer.

“You’re a good and loyal friend, Annella,” she said, grasping her friend in an affectionate hug.  “What would I do without you?  And all this after I kept the truth of Elizabeth’s betrayal from you for so long…”

“Donna waste yer breath, lass.  Whatever ye did was out of loyalty for yer family.  But now it’s time for ye to do what is right for ye.”

Catriona raised her eyebrows questioningly, struggling to follow her friend’s train of thought. “I did no’ do aught wrong, Annella.  Surely the truth will come out if only I’m patient.”

“I do no’ think the truth is the most important thing right now, Catriona.  We must concentrate on keeping ye safe.”

“What do you think I have to fear?  I did no’ harm Elizabeth, and even though I canna prove it right now, I’m sure the sheriff will find that out for himself.”

Annella shook her head, surprised at her friend’s naiveté.  “Things do no’ work that way, Catriona, though you’ve been too sheltered in yer life tae ken it.  The sheriff is goin’ tae believe whatever Calum an’ yer da tell him,” she said, adding with a snort, “or whatever Calum pays him tae believe, for that matter.  The Earl an’ yer brother are too broken with grief tae see reason right now, an’ there is no tellin’ when they will.”

“There’s no one who can support ye, and I’m sure Calum will make sure there is no’ a proper hearing.  If – when – they find ye guilty of Elizabeth’s murder, they’ll hang ye, Catriona.  An’ if Calum is half as smart as I think he is, they’ll do it sooner rather than later.”

Catriona’s hand instinctively flew to her neck, the color draining from her face.  “You canna think they would.”

“I can – an’ I do.  Ye must ken a woman is judged more harshly for her crimes than a man. An’ though the people in this keep respect ye, there is naught they can do. Aye, yer punishment will be harsh – an’ swift.  But I do no’ think it will be fair.”

Catriona climbed wearily to her feet, pacing the room as she felt her life slowly crumbling around her.  “What am I to do, then?” she asked quietly, her voice tinged with fatigue and resignation.  “I will no’ be punished for something I did no’ do.”

“There ye have the right of it.  Go away for a time, an’ let calmer heads prevail.  Give yer da time tae see ye are no’ capable of hurtin’ anyone, least of all yer own kin.  If the sheriff has time tae investigate proper-like, he’ll see ye had naught tae do with any of this,” Annella replied, her confidence growing.  “Aye, it’s likely that with time they will see this is naught but a foolish witch hunt – pure an’ simple.  Once I ken it is safe, I’ll send word, an’ ye can return to Boyne.  But until such a time should come, ye would do well tae take yerself off somewhere ye can be safe.”

Catriona pulled her fingers through her thick auburn locks, her thoughts racing as she considered her friend’s plans.  Her fear of leaving the only home she’d ever known – and the fear of being punished for a crime she hadn’t committed – waged a battle within her.  “You do no’ understand what yer asking of me.  I have ne’er been away from Boyne for more than a few days in my entire life.  How would I manage outside these walls?”

Annella reached for her friend’s hands, covering them in her own and drawing her closer as they sat on the edge of the bed. “Ye do no’ have a choice,” she said simply.  “If ye stay, ye risk yer verra life.  And I will no’ let ye do that.”

Catriona saw her friend’s determined expression, and after a long pause she nodded.  “Me mither an’ I have a plan that should work.  One of the lads who helps in the stables has a cousin who’s been visitin’ him here for a fortnight.  He had been plannin’ tae leave for Edinburgh in the next few days, an’ with a little arm twistin’, he’s agreed tae leave tonight.”

Fear flashed across Catriona’s pale features, but Annella held up her hand for silence until she had finished outlining the plan.  “Ye’ll pack only what ye can carry easily, for ye an’ the lad will both travel on horseback.  The journey should take seven, maybe eight days.  Ye’ll no’ go directly to Edinburgh, for that would make it too easy for them tae follow ye.”

Seeing the doubt in Catriona’s eyes, Annella stopped her with a harsh look.  “Make no mistake about it, they are going tae follow ye, an’ ye best be mindful.  Calum Leslie is no’ goin’ tae take kindly to having ye sneak out from under his nose. He’ll move heaven an’ earth tae find ye.  Do no’ forget it.”

“When I get to Edinburgh, what then?  I do no’ have any skills or references to find work.  How will I keep myself?”

Annella reached into her apron, drawing forth a small velvet purse.  “There is enough coin here tae last ye for a few weeks, but ye will have tae find work as soon as ye can.  My aunt is a prioress there – ye must go tae her.  She’ll help ye, if she can.”

Catriona pushed the velvet pouch back towards her friend, shaking her head at the prospect of accepting such a generous gift.  “I canna take yer money – it would no’ be right!  You have worked long and hard, and I will no’ rob you of it.”

Annella smiled softly, pushing the pouch back into Catriona’s hands.  “Yer not takin’ aught from me.  Yer da keeps extra coin in his study, as ye ken.  Let’s just say he’s given ye a settlement for serving as his steward these past months.”

“So this is what I’ve become, aye?” Catriona replied, her voice filled with sadness.  “I’m naught but a petty thief, robbing my own da.  I keep thinking this is naught but a dream, and that I’ll wake any moment…” her voice trailed off as she looked beseechingly at her friend, desperate for her assurance that all would be well.  “In a week or two, my da will surely see reason and I’ll be back home.  You think so too, do you no’?”

Annella nodded, but there was little confidence in the gesture.  They both knew that the future was as uncertain as it was dangerous.

The two women worked quickly, gathering the clothes and supplies Catriona would need for her journey. They included a clean chemise, two worn but serviceable house dresses, a night rail, clean stockings and slippers.  Though Catriona knew she had little room, she included a book she had recently taken from her father’s library, as well as a beautiful amber brooch that had once been her grandmother’s.  There was barely enough space to pack a few small jars of ointments and herbs, but Catriona wanted to be prepared should they be needed during the journey.

To travel, she would wear a pair of Iain’s old breeks, and a heavy homespun shirt he had long since outgrown.  Two lads traveling together would draw much less attention that a lady riding with her groom.  Together Annella and Catriona cut off her long mahogany locks, crying and laughing as they did so, knowing her distinctive, feminine curls would draw too much notice.  They used some soot from the hearth to dirty her features, until she appeared to be a young lad in dire need of a good scrubbing.  Finally, Catriona drew on a heavy black cloak with a hood that provided protection from the elements, and some privacy from curious eyes.

As much as her heart ached at not being able to say goodbye to those closest to her, Catriona knew she could not take that risk.  Time was of the essence.  The sooner she left Boyne Castle, the greater the chances of her reaching Edinburgh safely.

It was well past midnight when the women had finally finished their preparations. Cook had put together a small satchel with oatcakes, bread, cheese, water and cold meats that would last them a day or two, if they were careful.

When they were sure all had taken to their beds for the night, the pair swept quietly down the hall, making their way down the steps and to the kitchen.  There, Cook waited, eyes alight with concern as she kept alert for any signs of trouble.  Catriona was breathless with fear, her throat tight with emotion as she struggled to find the words to say goodbye to the friend who had been more like a mother to her.  The older woman found her voice first, though her eyes were misty with sadness.  “I will no’ say goodbye lass, as I hope tae see ye again afore too long.  I’ll only wish ye God’s speed.”

Impulsively, Catriona threw her arm’s around the woman, taking comfort in the strong arms that held her tight.  She could feel Cook’s concern and affection surge infusing her with new confidence.  “I canna thank you enough for all you’ve done for me,” she whispered in a voice choked with emotion.  “I will no’ forget it, ever.  I promise.”

Reluctantly pulling herself from Cook’s embrace, Catriona turned to face Annella. Neither woman made any effort to brush away the tears that spilled down their cheeks.  “Do no’ fret, Annie.  You’ll see me again soon enough.  I’ll send word as soon as I can.  After all, yer the sister of my heart, you ken?”  Catriona hugged her friend quickly, then grabbed up the small satchel and left the room without looking back.

Carefully she opened the door to the yard, pausing to make sure no one was watching.  She saw only a young lad, Dugal, already mounted on his horse.  Beside him stood Lily, saddled and ready for the journey.  Stiffening her spine, Catriona turned her back on the life she’d lived at Boyne Castle.  Her future – her very life – now depended on her ability to stay strong and keep her wits about her.  She owed it to herself, and those who cared for her, to succeed.

Scottish Highlands, Aberdeenshire

1706

Lachlan was so frustrated he could think of nothing but doing physical harm.  He struggled to take a calming breath as a soft sheen of sweat broke out on his face.  He was sure the reviver who lay prone as his feet could see his heart beating under his fine linen shirt.

“Is this the fool who has been raiding our lands and stealing our cattle for these past months, Rory?” Lachlan demanded of his chief man-at-arms.  “Is this the addle-brained simpleton who thought we would ignore him as he stole all there was worth taking in the village, then set a torch to the crofthouses?”  The anger emanated from Lachlan in waves, and even Rory Fordyce, his most loyal employee and trusted friend, had trouble meeting his gaze.

The reiver himself had long since given up hope for his own survival, and was instead muttering a prayer for forgiveness under his breath.  Like all others made their livelihood stealing the bounty of hardworking Scots, he knew he took his life into his hands every time he liberated the property of others.  It was almost a foregone conclusion that Lachlan Forbes would offer him no mercy.  A captured reiver’s fate rarely varied – a hanging at dawn, with his body on display for weeks as a warning to any others who contemplated similar thefts.  This man would take his chances seeking the Almighty’s forgiveness, for he knew there would be no such mercy from the laird of Tolquhon Castle.

Pushing himself up from his heavy oak chair, Lachlan walked over to the man, grabbing the ropes that bound the reiver’s hands and yanking him to his feet.  Lachlan’s dark eyes flashed with fury as he stared into the man’s pale, terrified face.  God’s teeth, but he hated having to mete out punishments to men like this.  More often than not, these reivers were simply young men out to earn a reputation, or struggling to feed their families.  Few had any malicious intent, though it was certainly true many a man had been seen acting in a less than noble fashion after being egged on by his kinsmen.  Lachlan suspected that was the truth in this man’s case.  His face showed no sign of arrogance or contempt – only cold, stark terror.