Fraser 01 - Highland Legacy (18 page)

With a heavy heart, Cailin peered out the casement window and drew her woolen plaid around her shoulders. Dark grey clouds loomed over the moors, threatening rain, but the fiercest storm could not rival the torrent of emotion and uncertainty raging within her breast. Several more weeks had passed, and still no word of Connor. The chill of late autumn gripped the air and soon the snow would fly. In the spring, her babe would be born, and it was beginning to look like he would never know his father.

On more than one occasion, she’d contemplated leaving the priory, rather than waiting for Borden to find her, but where would she go? As if on cue, the babe rolled, and kicked—a vivid reminder that she had a reason to live, and a reason to fight. She smiled and slid her hands over the spot, wondering if he’d used a foot or an elbow to gain her attention. “You’ll be all right, little one. I’ll see you safe, and protect you always.” From the beginning, she’d sensed the babe would be a lad, had prayed it would not a lass. A daughter used to barter for land and alliances, or subject to the unjust English laws.

A gust of wind blew the shutters closed, locking out the world beyond the priory walls. For now she was safe, but something in her gut told her it would not last for long. She sighed, then moved toward the bed and picked up the Bible. Propped up on her lone pillow, she settled into a comfortable position and began to read aloud. After a few pages, fatigue took over and she nodded off.

When the door latch lifted, she woke with a start. “Who is it?” she called out, expecting Marjory to come bounding into the room. The child had taken to visiting every day and Mary often accompanied her. She welcomed the company, and the distraction. “Who is it?” she asked again.

There was no reply.

She slid to the edge of the bed and dropped her legs over the side. No sooner had her feet touched the floor when the door burst open and crashed against the wall.

Cailin felt the color drain from her face as her worst nightmare had come to life.

Lord Jonathan Borden stood in the doorway with a sinister grin plastered across his face. “It’s about time I found you. You’ve led me on a merry chase and put me in bad favor with my king. We are not impressed.” He stepped into the room, slammed the door shut, and moved with purpose toward the bed. “There’s a gallows at Carlisle Castle with your name on it, and the executioner awaits your arrival.”

Terrified, but determined not to show it, Cailin squared her shoulders and sucked in a ragged breath. With her chin held high, she slowly rose to her feet, the Bible clutched against her breast. There was no way out, but she refused to let him see her fear. “For what crime am I charged?”

“The charges are murder and witchcraft. You killed my brother, and you will pay for the crime.”

“I am not a witch, and I have killed no one.”

He grabbed Cailin’s upper arm and the bible tumbled to the floor. His eyes traveled the length of her body, settling on the swell of her belly. An angry scowl replaced his pompous smirk. “I can see you are no longer innocent in the ways of the flesh. You denied me, yet you slept with rabble.” He stroked the scar on his cheek. “Do you remember this? I’ve spent many a sleepless night, thinking of the ways I can make you pay...make you beg for my mercy.”

“I remember you all too well, Lord Borden. I was bairn when you tried to accost me against my will. You were a guest in my father’s home, and you had no right to touch me—”

“As an English Lord, I have right to bed any whore I choose, and to do with her as I wish.” He twisted her arm, shoving her back against the bed. “Anywhere I choose.” With his free hand, he loosened the ties on his trews.

Cailin slid a protective hand over her belly. “I am not a whore. I carry my husband’s child.”
My betrothed’s child.

“No marriage was sanction by King Edward.”

“I answer to the rightful King of Scotland. Not the English tyrant who lays claim to my homeland.”

Borden wrapped his hand around her throat and squeezed. “I could cut out your tongue for speaking such treason. But I have other uses for your lovely mouth.” A lascivious grin crossed his lips. “Where is your husband now? Only a coward would run away, leaving his bride unprotected.”

“My husband is the bravest man I know. He sent me here for my protection while he—” She stopped speaking before she revealed too much.

“While he what?” Borden tightened his hand around her throat. “Perhaps he was one of the fools killed at Methven, or lays dead and rotting in a field outside of Dail Righ. That is where the clan MacDougall intercepted the followers of Robert the Bruce after the battle and laid waste to what was left of his pathetic army.”

“
Dail Righ
...the king’s field?” After the death of Red Comyn, the clan MacDougall sided with the English, but the idea that Scots would betray their fellow compatriots was unthinkable. Her knees buckled when Borden suggested Connor was dead, but she managed to remain standing. She’d not let Borden know he rattled her. She had to be strong for Connor, and for their child. Was the blackguard fishing for information? Was he toying with her head, and her heart, hoping she would betray the man she loved, or was Connor truly gone from her life forever?

“The Scots tried to rebuild their forces in Argyll Mountains. When word reached our army, we intercepted the rebels. Those that survived the battle of Dail Righ retreated to Kirkenclif, where most were taken prisoner, or executed for treason. There, we arrested Sir Simon Fraser and sent him to England to stand trial. Found guilty of treason, Edward saw him hanged, disemboweled, and then drawn and quartered. His head sits on pike on London Bridge, along with that of William Wallace.”

Her throat constricted, but she managed to hold the tears at bay. Cailin staggered at his words and struggled to catch her breath. “Sir Simon Fraser was captured and executed?” Her heart sank, and Mary immediately came to mind. She’d be devastated to learn of her father’s fate. Not to mention how the death of their beloved cousin and surrogate father would affect Connor and his brothers. Scotland had suffered a great loss.

“Some of the insurgents managed to escape, but it won’t be long before we round them up and see them punished,” Borden continued. “Perhaps your husband is among them. If I knew his name, I could ease your mind.”

The bittersweet news that Connor might still be alive caused her heart to race with joy, but it plummeted as quickly when she thought about the torture and brutal execution that awaited him if captured. That is if he was not already dead. She turned her head. “You were right when you said my husband died at the battle of Methven.”

“Liar!”

“I speak the truth. Word arrived shortly after the battle. He died a warrior’s death. When I learned his fate, I took refuge in the priory.”

“Perhaps he did die at Methven, but it matters not. In the event he is still alive, I’ve sent a missive to Kirkenclif, informing the miscreants that Kildrummy Castle has fallen and the villages in the surrounding area are now under English rule. I made it very clear we’ll leave no stone unturned in our search for enemies of the king or fugitives from his laws.

The news of Kildrummy’s fall was another heavy blow, but she refused to betray Connor. “How did you find me?” She was doing some fishing of her own. Obviously, the person who had divulged her whereabouts had not mentioned his name.

“I got my information from a lovely and very reliable source at Kildrummy Castle.”

“Jenna?” Cailin gasped. She clenched her fist and brought it to her breast. She couldn’t breathe. She could only imagine what they had done to her, and the others who had refused to leave the castle.

“So you know the lovely Jenna, do you?” The evil laugh that followed his question echoed throughout the cell. “When she finished revealing her family secrets, she warmed my bed quite nicely. The little vixen wasn’t even affected when we hanged her father in the bailey as a warning to anyone who may try to retaliate. Once I finished with her, I handed her over to the captain of my guard.”

Vile bastard!
“You violated her, and killed her father?” Despite the fact that Jenna had betrayed her and her family, Cailin wouldn’t wish that fate on her worst enemy.

“You can’t violate a whore.” There was no remorse in his voice. “I did not have to force myself on her. She offered her favors quite willingly and asked me to take her to England as my mistress. But one can only eat so many sweets before they tire of them and move to something more delectable.” His fingers skimmed her shoulder, then pawed at her breasts. “You are a very beautiful woman. It’s a shame you allowed that Scottish swine to deflower you. Had you saved yourself for me, I might have been able to persuade Edward to show leniency. At the least, I’d have seen you executed without torture.”

“How chivalrous. Your mercy knows no bounds.” Cailin didn’t try to hide the sarcasm in her voice. His touch repulsed her, yet she stood her ground and didn’t shy away.

“You’re a sassy wench. I like fire in the women I bed. I look forward to taming your wild spirit.”

She cringed at the thought, but her own safety wasn’t her only concern. She worried about the fate of those who had treated her so kindly during her brief stay at the castle and prayed Connor was safe. She silently thanked the Almighty that Lady Fraser had gone home before the English attacked. “What of Lady Bruce and the others? How did you manage to take a castle so well fortified?” Cailin asked boldly.

“A man will do anything for a price, especially when he’s offered all the gold he can carry.” Borden’s smug smile broadened. “It was actually a very simple plan. The blacksmith created a diversion by setting the corn stores on fire. While the guard was busy putting out the blaze, we were able to overrun the castle with little resistance. Lady Bruce is in England, under house arrest. The Bruce’s sisters and the Countess of Buchan, imprisoned. The guards were executed, and any servant who refused to swear fealty to Edward sent to the dungeon to await their fate. Unfortunately, the Bruce’s young daughter managed to escape before we arrived, but we will find her.”

The door to Cailin’s cell opened with a crash. “You killed my father!” Mary shouted as she raced across the room in Borden’s direction with a dirk clutched in her hand.

Borden released his grip on Cailin and spun around to face his attacker.

He caught Mary’s wrist mid-air, and twisted it sharply to the right. The dagger fell to the floor, and he kicked it out of reach. With his free hand, he delivered a backhanded blow that sent Mary to the ground with a thud.

Cailin considered going for the dagger, but knew if she did, he’d snap Mary’s neck like a twig.

“I’m sorry, sir, I tried to stop her.” An English soldier staggered into the room, his hand cupping the crotch of his trews. “The bitch kneed me in the ballocks and grabbed my dagger. It took me a minute to catch my breath and to stop my stomach from roiling.”

With his fist balled, Borden prepared to strike her again. “You dare to attack an English officer?”

Without regard for her own safety, Cailin went to Mary’s side and squatted beside her. Drawing her friend into her arms, she shielded her against another blow. “Stop, she’s a nun, and knows not what she does.” She tore a small piece of fabric from her kirtle and held it to the cut on Mary’s lower lip to stop the bleeding.

“She will pay for her insolence.” Borden shook his fist in the air.

“You killed her father. What else would you expect?” Cailin glared up at the two men, surprised when Borden picked up the dirk, slid it into his belt, and took a step backward.

“I expect my men to be on their guard, and to keep their prisoners under control.” He turned to face the young officer. “What of the girl?” Borden asked. “Have they located the Bruce’s daughter?”

“We haven’t found her yet, but we won’t give up until we do.”

“See that you don’t. I plan to present her to Edward as a bargaining tool,” Borden replied, before returning his attention to Cailin and Mary. “Where is she?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Cailin honestly didn’t know where Mary had hidden Marjory, but was confident that child was tucked away and safe from Borden’s grasp. She cradled Mary in her arms. “Are you all right?”

Mary nodded and sobbed. “They killed my father and must pay.” She clenched her fists in Cailin’s gown, burying her face against her shoulder.

“Hold your tongue, Mary. You must be brave and make your da proud.”

“I’d heed the lady’s advice if I were you.” Borden hovered over them. “Push me any further, and I will see you both hang. I grow tired of these games. Tell me where the Bruce’s daughter is hiding and I will see you are treated fairly.”

“What, and deny yourself the pleasure of seeing me stand before your English judges in a mock trail, and then executed for a crime I dinna commit?” Judging by the scowl of lethal intent that crossed his face, her deliberate attempt to draw his anger away from Mary and distract him from Marjory appeared to be working. “I hate to disappoint you, but the lass is not here.”

Borden grabbed Cailin by the arm, yanking her to her feet. “I’ve had enough of your insolence. We will leave for England within the hour. Have the men ready the horses and see they find the girl by then,” Borden said to the guard. He fastened his trews and glared at Cailin. “We’ll finish this later.”

As he steered her toward the door, Cailin offered little resistance. She would not risk the life of her child or the safety of those in the priory.

Mary rose to her knees in a futile attempt to stand. “You cannot take her! She is innocent and soon to be a mother. What kind of monster would harm a woman and her unborn child?”

“Interfere and I will give my men leave to do with the nuns what they will, and then we will torch the priory,” Borden warned as he leered over his shoulder at Mary.

Cailin raised her hand to stay Mary’s attempt to stand. Enough people had lost their lives or jeopardized their freedom to help her, and she’d not let anyone else pay for her problems. “Nay, there is nothing you can do. I will go with them, and please dinna try to follow.”

“A wise decision,” Borden said with a cocky smile, and slammed the door behind them.