The Highlander's Servant: Book One of the Highlander Possession Series (23 page)

             
“Aye, my Laird.” Neil had finished, and if anything, it left Kirstin in an even more puzzled state by the respect Neil had given to Lachlan by addressing him as his laird.

             
“I donna understand.” She began, looking up at Lachlan, “Why is Neil here if he is working for Graham?”

             
Lachlan cautiously began to speak, “He is Graham’s squire, my beloved, he is just not as loyal of a squire as he may seem to be.”

             
“What do ye mean?” she felt herself asking these words repeatedly throughout the day.

             
“Hush,” he said, pressing a finger to her lips and bending down to her level so that he could look into her eyes, “No more questions. Now, go eat and I will find ye soon.”

             
She gave a wry smile, “I donna think I am that ravished. Mayhap I can come with ye?”

             
He looked at her more sternly this time, “I said no more questions.”

             
Kirstin let out a long, dramatic sigh and right when she was about to ask another question, Roderick came bounding in like a frolicking deer.

             
“Kirstin!” He exclaimed, “How may I be of assistance?”

             
She frowned, “’Tis no’ my choice to be assisted at all. ‘Tis Lachlan’s.”

             
“Ah,” Roderick said, looking to the laird who had already began to retreat to his study with Neil right behind him, “I believe he is doing the right thing by keeping ye out of certain conflicts.”

             
Kirstin’s eyebrows furrowed and she asked, “What conflicts?”

             
“Just,” he gave her a sideways glance and a half smile, “Conflicts.”

             
Kirstin groaned aloud and walked away from him. Roderick was quick to follow her to the dining hall.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

              Neil was seated across from Lachlan, his back straight and shoulders forward as he explained to him the ordeal between Graham and Mrs. Croft.

             
“They are planning on taking Kirstin away from ye. Graham spoke to me about another raid, but no’ on a battleground, and instead on yer estate. Much like his father did to yers.” He was serious. Lachlan could tell because Neil’s tone of voice was deep, as his eyes penetrated Lachlan’s to only prove how grave the situation at hand was.

             
“When is this attack?” Lachlan questioned, the slightest bit of worry etching his forehead, as the wrinkles there deepened.

             
“In a fortnight.” Neil said, “That gives ye some time to gather yer men and prepare. I willna be fighting for Graham, but instead for ye.”

             
Lachlan was about to retort but Neil interrupted him by putting a hand up, “’Tis my choice. After all, I have always truly been loyal to ye and yer clan. If Graham will have my head, then so be it.”

             
Lachlan smiled at that with a gesture of approval, “I accept yer decision, and I am proud of it.” He stated honestly.

             
“And I,” Neil began once more, “take pride in my choices.”

             
Lachlan grinned once more, “I can see why.”

             
“What do ye mean ye can see why?” Neil asked, becoming puzzled.

             
Lachlan leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. He had a faint smile on his face as if remembering something, “Yer sister is very special, ‘tis something we can both understand. She is worth protecting.”

             
Comprehension dawned upon Neil and he nodded, “Aye, she is.”



             
Kirstin had eaten very little that day, and Roderick suggested that she go out to the field so that she could calm her nerves. Kirstin did not put up a fight, because it was a brilliant idea. She could get away from everyone and everything, for a few hours. She very well knew Lachlan would be talking with Neil for a long time, and when he was done he would probably have duties to attend to. So, Kirstin was not only doing herself a favor, but everyone else a favor. She did not want to distract Lachlan, and she did not want to bother Alana and the other servants with her boring questions.

             
It was a cloudy day, and the sky was graying but Kirstin assumed that it would not rain for another hour. She wore her boots, just in case it did begin raining in the hour..

             
As she lay out in the field, picking flowers and gazing at the somber sky, she failed to notice someone else in the area.

             
The woman walked towards Kirstin, and took a seat next to her. It was then that Kirstin noticed her, and she jumped in fright. Kirstin made space between them and observed her graying red hair, and straight nose. Her eyes were green, and like glass emeralds they too had dimmed over the years, becoming hazy.

             
The woman could not have been older than her own mother, for there was still a shine in her hair, and a smile brimming her face.

             
“Kirstin,” the woman greeted with a nod.

             
Kirstin was not so friendly, and took caution to this woman by saying nothing.

             
“I am called Jean, and though ye may not ken me, I ken ye.” A warm smile touched her lips, and Kirstin found one touching hers too at Jean’s friendly nature, despite her earlier hostility.

             
“How do ye ken who I am, and I donna ken who ye are?” Kirstin asked, curiously.

             
“Because,” she said, “I ken yer parents. Anyhow, I have come to warn ye.” Jean picked a flower and put it to her nose, humming at the sweet scent.

             
“Warn me?” Kirstin was puzzled, “But I donna even ken ye.”

             
“Ah,” she said, setting the flower down, “But I ken ye, remember?” She pointed to her temple as if to put on emphasis, “I have come to warn ye about my son. He is going to try to take ye away, and when he does, he will want to marry ye. I believe Neil is notifying Laird Bateson about the raid that will take place in a fortnight, but I donna think Neil has told him about my son specifically.”

             
The crease in Kirstin’s eyebrows deepened, and she had a faint frown now, “Go on.” Kirstin urged.

             
Jean took another calm breath, “My son is no’ a bad person. He only believes that yer rightfully his because of the engagement that my husband and yer father had originally made, before yer parents defied my husband.”

             
Kirstin was left confused, staring upon this stranger as if she had recognized what she was saying, and then she finally asked, “Jean, who is yer son?”

             
She smiled an all too knowing smile, and replied, “Graham Ruskin. I am his mother, and Laird Ronan was my husband.”

             
Kirstin’s eyes went wide, “I am betrothed to Graham?”

             
Jean nodded sorrowfully, “Aye, it happened before ye were born. Yer parents were well respected in our clan, and quite wealthy, so yer father and Ronan made an agreement to engage the both of ye at birth.”

             
“Nay,” Kirstin retorted, “Yer lying.”

             
“I am no’.” Jean defended herself, “And I did no’ ride all the way over here, sparing ye my life, for ye to call me a liar either.”

             
Jean made to get up, but Kirstin grabbed her arm and tugged her back onto the ground, “I apologize for my abruptness. I did no’ mean to offend ye.”

             
“’Tis quite all right,” Jean said, putting a hand to Kirstin’s cheek, “I only ask of ye to understand Graham’s ways and ken that he is no’ as bad as others make him seem. Mayhap, ye should talk to him about yer feelings for Lachlan, and then he will appreciate yer decision in marrying another.”

             
“And if he doesna?” Kirstin asked cautiously.

             
Jean grinned at her once more, a gaze full of pity but yet still stern, “Then ye will only have to make him.”

             
Kirstin let Jean get up, and she followed shortly.

             
“How is it,” Kirstin began once more, “that ye care for me?”

             
She gave a wry smile, “Let us just say I had an experience similar to yers. Once, I was betrothed to another at birth, forced by my parents, but I did no’ love the man. Instead, I loved another. I never had the confidence to talk to my betrothed about my true feelings, and so I married him without trying. We may be women, but we deserve our say just as much as any man.” Jean was left chuckling a low and sad laugh at the end, and now it seemed that Kirstin pitied her.

             
“I canna thank ye enough, Lady Ruskin.” Kirstin said with a faint smile, taking her into a hug. When they pulled away, she said, “Just call me Jean.”

             
Kirstin beamed at her, “Thank ye, Jean, for everything.”

             
Jean smiled weakly, “Donna thank me fully until all has passed.”

             
Kirstin nodded at that, understanding her words and how everything may not work out as she had planned.

             
“And Kirstin,” the woman said, gaining her alert eyes once more, “Laird Bateson should have the evidence of yer betrothal to Graham, if any doubt occurs. I knew yer father well, and ‘tis him who started everything. He sent a letter to Laird Bateson before he took ye away. Now, I really must be on my way.”

             
Kirstin acknowledged her words, and then walked with Jean to her horse that was tied up near the stream. She watched her leave, waving to her until she was out of sight.

             
With Jean’s last words still repeating in her thoughts, Kirstin headed to the manor. Lachlan was out of sight, as was Neil and Roderick. She passed many servants who did not even spare her a glance, and she was glad that they had not.

             
When Kirstin got to Lachlan’s chambers, she peeked inside to make sure no one was occupying the space. When it was confirmed that his study was absent of any presence, she stormed in and began scanning the bookshelves. She took down many books and journals, opening them and skimming through the pages, as if looking for a letter, entry, or anything that would be considered ‘evidence.’

             
When Kirstin found none, she moved to his desk. Kirstin opened drawers and dug through the stacks of papers that were in each one. Time seemed to quicken because her heart raced, and it became harder to breathe. She let out a gasp, when her eyes came across a certain letter with her father’s name on it. Grasping it in her small hands, she observed the yellowing of the paper, and the fading of the lines, but quickly scanned the words anyway…

Laird Bateson,

              I fear ‘tis in my best interest to inform ye of a formal engagement concerning my daughter and Graham Ruskin.

             
Laird Ronan and I felt it would be best to betroth them from birth, due to their status and our former friendship. This was perhaps, the only thing that was left untouched when he exiled us. I fear the day Graham may also be informed, and seeks revenge on our family by either taking her away out of selfishness or malicious greed.

             
I ken that Kirstin has grown older now. She is almost eight and ten, and she has grown to be quite beautiful. I ask that ye might take her away, in case Graham does find our whereabouts. We live in a small town in the lowlands, where men court women, and children play in the streets. ‘Tis a town to the east of Muirkirk.

Sincerely,

Payton Croft

             
Kirstin dropped the letter as if it was poisoned to the touch, and immediately put a hand to her head so that she could steady herself. Then, a sound came from down the hallway, and the door opened.