The Trouble with Highlanders Read online

  ***

  “It must be public,” Ronald argued. The older man was not intimidated by Norris’s growling or the fact that Gahan stood at his brother’s back, looking just as furious.

  “If she is pronounced innocent in private, no one will trust ye—nae when it comes to anything to do with Daphne MacLeod. They will say ye are soft and maybe worse, that ye are in a hurry to inherit yer title. Sutherland has never been weak in the eyes of our neighbors and vassals. The appearance must be maintained.”

  Gahan grunted. “As much as I hate to agree, I do. The gossips are vicious.”

  They were, but Norris still resented the situation. There was no way to avoid it; he understood that much. Beyond the doorways of his father’s private chambers, he could hear the people in the great hall. He was torn, because part of him wanted to hate them for being there. However, there was another side of him that marveled at their loyalty to his father. It was something his father had earned and, if he were fortunate enough, he would, as well. There suddenly came a rise in sound from the hall, a rumble of increased conversation. The two retainers at the door frowned, and one of them left to investigate. The man returned almost instantly. He tugged on the corner of his bonnet before speaking. “Mistress MacLeod stands ready.”

  Ronald and the other captains looked surprised. “Who brought her?”

  “She came herself,” Norris informed them. “She is no coward.”

  Ronald considered him for a long moment and then nodded approval. “Well done, then. Let us hear what the MacNicols’s brewmaster has to say on this matter.”

  ***

  “Be quiet… I tell ye!”

  Norris had to fight to maintain his composure. Ronald was ruby faced as those watching continued to interrupt the proceedings. The older captain pounded on the high table with a fist until the hall quieted down again.

  “Ye’re dismissed,” Ronald informed the brewmaster. The man bowed and fled.

  Broen MacNicols stood up and addressed them from where he’d been sitting on the end of the high table. “The matter is clear. Sandra Fraser is the culprit.”

  One of the younger captains stood up to challenge Broen. “It is nae clear. I’ve a cousin on MacNicols land, and she told me ye stood before yer people and proclaimed Daphne MacLeod was like a sister to ye and ye would take issue with anyone who did her wrong.”

  Broen frowned. “That is true, but it does nae make me a laird who would force his servants to give false testimony when the crime is so high.”

  “The brewmaster knows well yer affection for Mistress MacLeod. It is possible he is trying to please ye.”

  “I am no’ a liar!” The brewmaster had not fled far. He stood and propped his hands onto his hips. “’Tis just like an arrogant Sutherland to look down on us MacNicols because our laird is nae so high as yers!”

  The hall erupted again, this time Sutherland men entered the aisle to face off with the brewmaster. MacNicols retainers hurried to back up their clansman, and the tension tightened.

  What drew Norris’s attention was the way Daphne paled. For the first time, fear entered her dark eyes, and it sickened him.

  “Hold!” he shouted as Broen ordered his men to stand down.

  The nature of a Highlander was volatile.

  Daphne watched the two clans separate as their lairds commanded, but they glared at each other. It was the same thing she had seen when she’d been presented as Broen’s betrothed. The celebration feasts had been tension filled and far from enjoyable. Leaving had been the only solution. She was cursed.

  “Since ye have heard from the men, ’tis time ye hear from the women.” The captains had to look around to see who spoke. Asgree’s voice was low, and those yelling in the hall quieted in order to hear her.

  The head of house moved in front of the captains and laid something on the table. Daphne stepped closer to see what it was and gasped. The small hair ornament was easy to recognize, because it was so unique.

  “I had the privy where Sandra Fraser was found cleaned. That was in it. When ye open it, ye’ll see the paste has a clear finger indention. That poison stains the skin dark mustard. Mistress Fraser’s right index finger was stained when we found her. I was nae the only one who saw the stain.” Several maids lined up, nodding their heads.

  Norris picked up the flower pin and flicked open the center. Broen moved close enough to see it too, while the crowd shook their heads and grumbled. Ronald sat down, looking older than he had before.

  Norris stood up and fixed the line of personal pages with a hard look. “When me father took Mistress MacLeod to his sanctum, who was still at the high table?”

  “Mistress Fraser…”

  Those who didn’t answer nodded.

  “Did ye remain at yer posts while he was gone?”

  Most of the boys went pale. Their eyes widened, and one of them found the courage to answer. “We… went for supper… at the back of the hall.”

  “Who served ye?” Norris demanded.

  The boys looked down at the hall, searching among the faces of those watching, until a middle-aged woman stood up. She lowered herself before moving to the base of the stairs.

  “I did, Laird. ’Tis the truth I served them when the earl went to his chambers.”

  “Did any of them remain to watch me father’s plate and cup?”

  She shook her head, sending a shocked ripple through all those watching. Horror appeared on their faces, and then shame. Most found a reason to look away from Daphne.

  “Ronald, have some of yer men remove Mistress Fraser from the main tower. I would have her far away from me father.”

  Every single one of his father’s captains jumped up, eager for the chance to escape.

  “This matter is ended,” Norris declared. Daphne watched his people stand and lower themselves in front of him. In that moment, he was the master of Dunrobin, and she believed him a good one. He needed a bride who brought him a strong alliance, not one from a defeated clan. Broen was shaking Norris’s hand as men crowded around the high table to get a closer look at the hairpin.

  Daphne slipped away, just as she had before her wedding to Broen. It was better this way… Her heart ached, feeling as though it was being torn apart, but she kept walking—through a hallway and on to another before she made it to a doorway that led to the yard. People were pouring out of the great hall, making it simple for her to make her way across the yard without being singled out. At least that was what she thought.

  People began to lower themselves. Full retainers reached up to tug on the corner of their bonnets as they cleared the path in front of her. The word “mistress” began to surround her, and she was greeted by one and all. No one was too hurried to ignore her. It was humbling. She froze in her tracks, and tears pricked her eyes.

  Someone moved up behind her, clasping her with strong arms she instinctively recognized. Norris nuzzled her head, earning them giggles from the girls and knowing looks from the older women.

  “Where are ye going, me sweet?” His arms tightened just a bit, and he sighed against her ear. “All is well now.”

  “No, it is nae. Ye need a wife who brings unity, nae fighting among yer vassals.”

  “Look and listen, Daphne. Ye have won the Sutherlands’ hearts. No negotiated bride will ever match yer achievement.” His tone was thick with approval, and it warmed her heart. Just like that, the pain that had been threatening to kill her was gone, her doubts dispersed in the wave of happiness that washed through her.

  “But… ye do have a problem when it comes to taking wedding vows,” Norris informed her, his voice rising.

  “I do nae have a difficulty,” she argued. He released her, and she turned to discover Broen MacNicols standing two feet behind Norris. Gahan and other retainers were there as well, drawing the attention of those who
had begun to return to their workday. Even the men along the curtain wall looked down at them.

  “Yes, ye do.” Norris cocked his head and looked at Broen. “Did nae she slip away before her wedding to ye?”

  Broen crossed his arms over his chest. “Aye, that’s the truth, and I hear she let ye seduce her when the king had clearly told her she was to wed me. Which makes it twice she left without wedding me.”

  “Twice, aye, a hesitation problem to be sure.” Norris smirked. Their retainers were enjoying their comments full well. Daphne blushed and then cursed her fickle feminine nature for being so vulnerable to their teasing.

  “I was the only one acting with good sense,” she protested.

  Norris grinned at her, the expression warning her that she had stepped neatly into his trap. “Allowing me to seduce ye was good sense, I agree.”

  “Ye arrogant marauder…” she grumbled. “Is it nae enough that I have—”

  “No, it is nae enough just yet, lass.” A moment later he planted his feet wide and bent his knees before running into her at waist level. He straightened up, to the delight of those watching, with her hanging over his shoulder. He turned in a wide circle, ensuring that every man on the wall got the opportunity to witness the moment.

  “I’m off to the church to wed me little fairy before she escapes, lads! I need a few witnesses.”

  People parted, allowing their laird to stride toward the church. The priests hurried to open both doors so Norris might continue on to the end of the aisle. He placed her back on her feet, and the dust from her skirts settled.

  “Marauder…” she accused softly.

  “Aye, I am that…” He sank to his knees and offered her his hand. “Yer marauder, if ye like.”

  She did like it. Daphne sank to her knees, clasping the hand of her lover as the priest moved in front of them. She loved it.

  ***

  The church bells rang out, informing everyone of their laird’s wedding. Many came running to offer congratulations, but Asgree arrived and pushed her way to Norris. “Yer father is awake.”

  A cheer went up from those crowding around them. Norris kissed Daphne quickly; then he turned and ran toward the tower. His kilt bounced, and she might have mistaken him for a little boy being summoned by his father, if she discounted the sword strapped to his wide back.

  No, he was a Highlander, a marauder… her husband. And a good son.

  ***

  His father looked weak. Norris forced himself to accept the fact that his father was growing older, while at the same time, he marveled at how the laird had defeated death.

  “Ye think I know naught of love.”

  Norris was surprised by his father’s words. The old man chuckled, and a fit of coughing overtook him. When he recovered, he grinned at his son, looking more lively than Norris could have hoped for.

  “I’m nae ready to let Gabriel take me away just yet. But he does like a battle, so I let him think he was winning there for a bit.”

  Norris grinned. “Rather kind of ye.”

  “It was at that,” Lytge agreed, “because it seems ye do nae understand me so well, me lad. Ye think me a harsh man when it comes to matters of the heart.”

  “Ye did nae seem very welcoming to Daphne,” Norris replied. “Since we’re in private, I do nae plan to start holding me tongue, since I never have before. Ye were blunt and overly harsh with her. I took her to me bed, knowing full well she was virgin. She is more than a lass I’ve dallied with—much more.”

  A gleam of approval entered the old man’s eyes. “Oh, aye, I understand that well enough.”

  Norris cocked his head to the side, irritated with his father’s jolly mood. “Do ye? And when were ye planning on sharing that bit of information with me?”

  His father grinned, as arrogant and cocksure as ever. “I was nae. Ye are me son and would nae have listened to an old man if he told ye how much ye looked like a new foal following behind its mother. So damned dependent on her for yer life.”

  “I am nae dependent—” Norris shut his mouth with a click of his teeth. His father chuckled again and pointed a bony finger at him.

  “Oh, ye are, and ’tis a fact that I envy ye that feeling. But I had to be sure the lass was worthy of it, ye understand.” He nodded, his expression becoming somber. “Oh, yer mother, she played me well, she did. Smiled and fluttered her eyelashes and made me think I had her heart just as she had mine. The truth of the matter was she loved me title.” Disappointment flickered in his eyes. “But she was nae unkind, and she gave ye to me and raised ye with love. I confess I envied ye her love.” He slapped the surface of the bed, determination gleaming in his eyes. “So I wanted to make sure ye did nae stumble into the same trap.”

  “She’s still penniless.”

  His father chuckled again. “Are ye thinking to test me, lad?”

  “Aye, I do believe I am, Father.”

  “Well, ye tested me when ye left to seek the king’s permission to force me to yield to yer wish to wed her.”

  Norris shook his head slightly. “Ye knew that, did ye?”

  His father nodded. “I knew it because it’s what I would have done. It stung, just a bit, I’ll admit. I understand it’s just an old man’s pride, trying to get involved in something I have nae right to be involved in. I did nae care very much for the fact that me own sire took such a dislike to Gahan’s mother. She was the lass who held me heart, but yer grandfather refused to allow her to live at Dunrobin. He thought yer mother would be more welcoming to me if that were so—and I did try, Son.”

  “I recall that well, in spite of how young I was. Forgive me, for ye are correct. I was set on gaining the king’s blessing, because I knew ye’d accept it. For that, I am sorry, because we have never been dishonest with each other. But it matters naught to me if she is penniless. I’ve wed her and am sorry only that ye did nae get the chance to give us yer blessing.”

  His father chuckled. It started him to coughing again, but he didn’t seem to mind. “Ye had it, me son, have no doubt of that. She had the strength to stand beside ye when everyone was quick to turn away.”

  “Aye, I’ve noticed that meself.”

  Lytge winked. “She’s nae penniless, but I wanted to see if ye’d have her in spite of the gold her father settled on her.”

  Norris shook his head, suddenly understanding the amusement in his father’s eyes. “Ye’ve known where her dowry was the entire time,” he muttered slowly. “Ye crafty fox.”

  “Ye forget sometimes that ye learned every trick ye know from me, lad. Gahan too. Ye’re me sons, and I have made sure to raise ye both, nae leave it to some power-hungry bastard who thinks to earn himself a comfortable place by endearing ye to him. Leave that practice to the English nobles.” He reached out and clasped Norris’s forearm. “Ye are me son, the most precious thing God has ever given me. I wanted ye to have a woman who loved ye with all her heart, for that is another gift I once dreamed of having. Well, I ensured ye’d get both by keeping the knowledge to meself. Besides, ye never asked me if I knew anything of the lass’s dowry.”

  “No, I did nae.” Norris chuckled. “Ye got me there, pure and simple. But ye were her father’s overlord.”

  Lytge nodded. “And as such, I sent me own men to safeguard that treasure on its way to Broen MacNicols. When the lass put him in his place and I heard the rumors of her father siding with the Royalists, I made sure to put that gold some place it would nae be carried off by raiders.”

  “Yer own coffers.”

  His father smirked.

  It was brilliant, but it sent a chill down his spine. “She might have died over yer keeping that secret. Ronald was thinking to hang her.”

  “Well, I did nae know that Fraser bitch was going to poison me. There’s the reward I get for letting Gahan watch yer back, wh
en I should have kept the man for meself,” he groused. “And do nae cross yer arms over yer chest like that, me lad. Ye’ll nae brood over the matter. I was making sure the lass was nae after yer title, and ensuring ye were nae simply amused by the idea of having something ye thought I would nae approve of. Ye youngsters are bedazzled by the forbidden, and ye, me lad, are a proud one. It would nae have been the first time ye bedded a lass ye knew I’d disapprove of, just to remind me that yer respect for me ended at yer bedchamber door. Yet rightfully so.”

  Relief poured over him, and Norris suddenly laughed. “I love ye.”

  His father nodded. “Aye, and I treasure it. Now get that lass to bed, because I want the comfort of grandchildren in me old age.”

  Norris stood and tugged on the corner of his bonnet. “I’ll do me best.”

  Lytge watched with pride the man his son had grown into leave his bedchamber. He was certain Norris would prevail, but he was also sure Daphne would give him a bloody hard time claiming that victory.

  He cursed Sandra Fraser again for laying him in a sick bed where he wouldn’t be able to watch the battle.

  ***

  “What of Sandra?” Gahan had waited until they had left their father’s chamber before asking.

  Norris turned to his brother. “I believe I’ve discovered what they say about love to be true. It’s turned me soft, Brother—at least when it comes to vengeance. I’m more interested in cherishing life.”

  Gahan slowly smiled. “Then I suppose the matter falls to me, as the next-eldest son.”

  “Only if ye want the duty. For meself, I do nae care. Me father can have her hung once he recovers. It is his right. We’ll have to appeal to the king if we want to prove Bari had any knowledge of it. Nonetheless, I plan to make sure the man knows he is never welcome beneath me roof again.”

  “Oh… he’s welcome to come here… no promise on how he leaves,” Gahan growled softly and shot Norris an exasperated look. “Here I am, plotting vengeance, and ye can nae wait to get to yer lady’s side.”