Dawn Annis (10 page)

“Seamus is angry with Shane and the situation. He knows Iain was the one to kidnap ye and he’s furious with him. He dinna want to see him. He asked I tell ye, he is not angry with ye. Ye surprised him. He is tired now, but wants to see ye when he wakes.”

Kate decided to stay in her room and after assurances to Merta she was fine, Merta moved toward the door.

“Thank you, Merta. You have been an angel to me.”

“Och, I haven’t noticed any wings sproutin’ yet, m’lady. And that’s the God’s honest truth.”

Smithers watched the uproar around Seamus and Kate with a troubled mind, his cowl close around his face. He’d not had the opportunity to get close to her. He tried on several occasions as she walked the grounds. He could not find her alone or was stopped by his “duties” as a monk. Watching Seamus’s reaction to the Colquhoun name spurred him to redouble his efforts and form a plan to spirit Kate away.

Chapter 13

Seamus stood at the entrance to the hall and slowly shuffled forward to greet his son.

His handshake was firm, his eyes bright. Shane’s heart filled with hope. Could this be the same man he’d left dying? No, it was clear his injuries were healing. Shane wrapped his arms around his father, the man he expected to be dead when he reached home.

“Da, ye look whole again. I dinna think it possible.” Shane could not let go of his father. “Ye mean a great deal to me, old man,” Shane said. “Worry over losing ye has weighed heavy upon me.”

“Aye, son, my misery is leaving. Lady Colquhoun took pity on an old man. I owe her a debt.”

Shane saw Kate standing a short distance away, unsure how to approach her. He wanted to talk to her. In private. He wanted to ask how she fared while he was gone. He returned his gaze to his father.

“So, ye know who she is.”

“Aye, that I do. We’ll be speakin’ about it,” Seamus said sternly. He patted his son on the back. “Good to have ye home, son.”

Seamus turned and led the way back into the great hall. He held onto a gnarled, sturdy branch one of the men stripped of its bark and fashioned it as a cane of sorts.

Shane gave quick orders to unload and care for his horse. He quickly followed his father, amazed at his recovery.

As the men entered the hall, Merta stepped forward to greet Shane. Shane saw her hesitation as if reading his response. She gave him a brief hug and a quick kiss on the cheek to show she had no hard feelings from their last conversation. He in turn gave an extra squeeze and a wink. An unspoken apology passed between them. Iain and other clansmen arrived nosily.

Shane waved them into the hall. He nodded at Iain.

Seamus asked, “Tell me, did ye go to England?”

“Aye, that I did, Da.”

Seamus raised his brow. “Why is she a prisoner?”

“Iain took the lass from her husband in York. He thought to raise some coin.” Shane frowned.

Seamus opened his mouth.

Shane held up a hand and shook his head. “Sidney Colquhoun is dead and any chance of ransom with it. I saw Andrew Colquhoun in a tavern. He was very proud of himself. He threw the lass out. Ye should of seen him, Da. He looked like a peacock with his feathers set in full display,” Shane said, his voice full of scorn. Then he spit.

Seamus grunted. “Aye, it dinna surprise me. But had he not been bragging, ye would still be sitting there wondering what to make of the whole mess.”

Seamus frowned at his lap, shaking his head slowly, and said, “Poor lass, such a sweet, wee thing.”

After Shane’s discoveries had been explained to the old laird, they came to some immediate decisions.

“Kate canna go out on her own. She’ll have to stay here,” Seamus said, rubbing his chin.

“We will always have need of her.” Shane neglected to mention the attraction he felt for her. He had uncovered one secret. Were there more?

Though the lack of ransom was disappointing, it was no fault of hers, and they all agreed, since she had nowhere else to go, she should stay.

“She’s a good lass. I’m fond of her. I wouldn’t be standin’ in front of ye without her.” He paused. “I owe her a debt and I canna send her out to fend for herself.”

It made no difference to either man that perhaps Kate would want to go. They were men and therefore knew what was best for her. She would abide by their decision, they were sure.

As for Iain, Shane would have to explain to him there was not going to be a ransom paid and why. He also wanted to communicate to him any further brilliant ideas were to be discussed with him first. Shane decided to wait until the morning to talk with him.

Seamus started to his room for a midday rest. He shrugged off Shane’s attempt to help him to bed.

“I’m fine, lad. Just need a bit of rest. Go. Join the rest of the lads. They’ll be waiting to hear about yer travels.” Seamus turned and slowly made his way to the stairs.

Shane watched the old man climbed the stairs and then turned to find Kate. He hoped for a moment alone with her. He told himself it was because he had to tell her she was going to stay. In his heart he knew it was also because he wanted to be near her.

On the ride from England, Shane thought a great deal about Kate. Anyone with eyes could see the woman was stunning but there was more. From their brief encounters and what he had learned in England, he was beginning to know a remarkable woman.

He had but a moment before he was forced to return his attention to his men. They claimed him, arms around his shoulders, and they moved as one to the tables by the fireplace. Soon they were laughing and bantering with one another. With great hugs and much backslapping, everyone was glad to see the MacGregor.

Kate paced the room. She wrapped a loose curl around her finger. She had been left with no word from the MacGregor. She assumed he went to England to collect his ransom. What he found there and how the knowledge would affect her, disturbed her.

How was she going to explain herself? She knew the state of her own financial affairs and about the death of her husband all along. Had she confessed, it would have saved him a trip to England. How would he react to her duplicity? Seeing him again made her pause. He was as handsome as she remembered, and his smile gave her the slightest shiver.

Kate paced in front of the window in Seamus’s room to help the old man and to get away from the son. Her stomach fluttered. She pushed away her thoughts and concentrated on Seamus.

“Ye nervous, lass?”

“Not at all. Only waiting for you to arrive.”

She helped him get comfortable. After checking his wounds, she handed him a cup of Lungwort tea to drink.

“I dinna like this.”

“The herbs keep your lungs clear,” Kate said. “You’ve been bedridden a long time and fluid can build in your lungs. When you are stronger and can move around more, you can stop the drink.”

“Yer a hard one.” Seamus gulped the liquid.

Kate checked him for fever and covered him with a quilt then left him to rest. She returned to her room, winding a curl around her finger, and paced.

Later in the evening, Shane sat at the head table with his father at one side, Iain at the other. Kate could feel his gaze on her. When she entered the great hall, she fooled herself into thinking she had herself under control. As soon as she saw Shane, her stomach danced wildly.

She hardly noticed the large crowd, as everyone came to dine at the same time to welcome the MacGregor home. It was a stroke of luck the minstrels were still with them as they usually didn’t stay in one place for too long. They strummed their instruments and sang ballads as everyone gathered for the meal. Kate was too nervous to mingle, her stomach skipping at the sight of Shane.

The women prepared a meal worthy of the returning laird. On the long tables were platters of roasted venison, rabbit, and fish caught from the loch and baked that afternoon.

While fresh meat was available, it was too early in the season for fresh vegetables. There were boiled potatoes and parsnips from the harvest last year. They were kept in cool storage next to the icehouse on the loch.

Large pitchers of mead and ale were set out next to loaves of warm crusty bread and plates of hard cheese. Kate filled her cup with mead. She sipped, her foot bouncing.

The cook made a special treat using the dried apples and pears from winter storage. Cored and soaked in spiced beer, the fruit was filled with nuts and baked. Just before serving they were drizzled with honey and the rare spice, cinnamon. The women hurriedly helped to serve the meal so they too could join their men, listening to their laird tell of the news and his adventures.

Kate did not eat much of the wonderful meal. Her stomach ached from nerves. She noted the homecoming feast was a success. Everyone ate their fill and more. The platters and empty pitchers were cleared away. Most of the clan stayed in the hall after the meal. People gathered into groups around the hall, listening to the music of the minstrels. Everyone was talking at once, creating a low din punctuated with occasional laughter.

“Get a hold of yourself. He obviously knows Sidney is dead.” Kate rubbed her sweaty hands over her skirts. “You have not been thrown out yet.”

Shane had indeed gone to England as he related his travels to his clan and she had felt his intense stares during the meal.

“It may be I am unwelcome but I am determined to stay until Seamus no longer needs me,” Kate muttered.

After she finished eating, Kate left the hall unnoticed by her guardians. She intended to stay on the isle and didn’t need the ever-present escort.

She stepped out of the hall and out the doors to the stone steps leading into the courtyard.
Pausing, she folded her arms around herself and took in a deep breath, relieved to be away from the crush of the crowd.

Kate crossed the courtyard and headed toward the loch. The sun had set though there were still a few lingering rays peeking out from behind the hills. She stopped and gazed at the beautiful sight. She took in another deep breath, inhaling the aromas of spring. A few more of the early plants around the loch had begun to bloom, giving off wonderful, sweet fragrances.

She circled around the keep, then headed toward the herb garden she foolishly thought of as hers. She sat on a stool next to the lean-to and picked up the seedlings waiting to be planted. She knelt despite the night and placed them where she had intended. When had she begun to feel comfortable and safe? When had it no longer felt like a prison and more like a home? She wasn’t sure. Was it spending many hours here doing something she loved, caring for plants and herbs in a familiar place of solace and peace? Or was it Shane?

Tonight she wanted to be alone with her thoughts and she wanted to be away from the MacGregor and his stares. She admitted Shane made her palms slick, her heart pound. His very presence made her thoughts stutter.

She saw how his clansmen greeted him, their care for him apparent and Shane’s concern for his people just as clear.

A shadow crossed the torchlight at the corner of the keep, startling Kate. She turned and saw him. She realized Shane had followed her and her breath caught in her throat. She saw his surprise at the herb garden in the dim light. A rush of sadness swept over his face.

He walked to the gate.

“To see this garden again. I think of my mother and the many hours she spent out here. When I was young, if I was seeking her, I was sure to find her here. She would talk to me about any manner of things. Suddenly I miss her very much.” Shane cleared his throat.

Kate nodded. Before she could speak, he continued.

“M’lady, ye have done some wondrous things while I’ve been away. I left my dyin’ father out of what I felt was my duty to the clan. I have come home to a father healing and a clan happier with more hope than I ever expected. How do I thank ye?”

“Do not thank me, m’lord. Your father’s spirit let him heal. I only provided basic skills. As for the clan’s hope, I cannot be given the credit as I did nothing to encourage it,” Kate said quietly. “They are good people.”

Oddly, Kate felt comfortable in Shane’s presence, more than she believed possible. Her stomach fluttered, her nerves taut but she was more in control of herself. As if his appreciation made him more the man than the laird. She also knew she was no longer hiding a secret.

Shane smiled, his teeth white in the approaching night.

“I have spoken with Merta and my da. They both told me of the care ye gave to him. Merta told me of her fright and of yer courage to do what was necessary. I thank ye.”

Kate gave him a small nod. She felt modest as to her role in Seamus’s healing yet she did not want to argue with Shane. She allowed herself the compliment then braced herself for what was coming.

“M’lord, if I may—”

Shane interrupted. “M’lady, I have been to England. I have seen Lord Colquhoun, ‘Tis clear there will be no ransom.”

Kate looked at her trembling hands.

“’Tis also very clear ye have nowhere to go. Ye will stay here. My da is very fond of ye. I believe he loves and cares for ye as a daughter.”

Their eyes met.

“Merta is as well. I trust they have made ye comfortable during yer stay with us and I see no reason for ye to go elsewhere. Yer skill as a healer speaks for itself. So ye will be useful to my clan.”

“M’lord, I must—”

Shane put his hand up when Kate began to protest.

“Nay, no need to thank me. I made my decision based on what I have learned of yer conduct while I have been away.”

Kate stared at him speechless. The bright, beautiful man she had spent these last weeks conjuring in her head now stood before her. He was as handsome as she remembered. His voice so deep and resonant, it made her spine tingle. Here he stood, acting like an arrogant cur.

Shane looked at Kate, his gaze clear, concise, without a hint of confusion. He started to turn away and head back into the hall.

“So, I am no longer your prisoner?” At his nod, she asked, “And if my desire is to go?”

“If that is yer wish, yer free to go wherever ye please. Where would ye want to go?” Shane asked, puzzled.

Kate did not answer him. She stalked past him, her nose in the air. Her anger grew with each thought. How dare he? Useful to his clan. His father and Merta have grown fond of her. What about how
he
felt? Did he share their thoughts or did he have some of his own?

Her heart ached. She had nowhere to go. She was indeed dependent upon his kindness and willingness to have her stay. She was angry with herself, Sidney, Andrew, and the entire situation she found herself in, but most particularly with
him
.