Dawn Annis (11 page)

Any kind thought she may have had earlier about Shane MacGregor was dismissed from her mind. Here was the man in the flesh, not a dream. She had been caught being foolish and her disappointment was acute. Was she somehow hoping he wanted her to stay? Not for her usefulness to the clan but because he personally desired her. She knew she was being irrational, of course. But she couldn’t help herself. She wanted to rid herself of the MacGregor as quickly as possible. She walked as fast as she could.

Oh, God.
Kate lowered her head, her shoulders curling in as she rounded the corner. The tears came, frustrating even more. Crying again. For goodness sake, it seemed she had cried more in the last month than she had ever let herself before.

Shane watched Kate stomp around the corner. He shook his head slightly and ran his hand through his hair. What? He did not understand
.
Here he gave the poor lass a safe place to live.
She didn’t have to go back to Andrew Colquhoun, did she? She could live here, where she had friends. Here, where she had come to know the people and the surroundings.

He could have been a little less harsh but what had she expected, an engraved invitation? While he knew it wasn’t much right now, he was confident it would be better. And it was a bloody sight better than what she had. The more Shane thought about it, the angrier he got. Well, that was fine if the lass didn’t want to stay here. He
wouldn’t force her. He admitted he cared for her too much anyway. He didn’t need to complicate his life with a poor wench. A wealthy woman with land was who he needed. If the wee lass was daft, well it wasn’t his concern any longer. He just wasn’t going to feel responsible for her. And he definitely didn’t feel a need to protect her. Absolutely not. Really. Bloody Hell.

Chapter 14

Kate went to the herb garden, thinking about what Shane had said the night before. Once she had calmed down, though still angry with him for his arrogance, she realized he was right. She had nowhere else to go.

By now, Andrew would have come to the cottage to ensure she had not resumed living there. She had no relatives she could go to other than her father and she doubted he would be pleased to see her. Emily would help, but she wasn’t sure how she would get to York. Any friends she had made while living in Scotland were from the village close to her home. They had limited funds, depending upon the generosity of their lord, Andrew Colquhoun. There were none she was willing to foist her troubles upon. She would not impose herself on any of them. Kate let out a long sigh and tried hard to concentrate on the task at hand.

Smithers approached the garden and with his hands clasped and head bowed, he said very quietly, “M’lady.”

Kate’s stomach leaped. That voice. So familiar. Kate faced the monk then stepped closer to him, stunned. “Is that you? Oh, Smithers, is it really you?”

Smithers put his clasped hands to his lips indicating to Kate she mustn’t speak so loudly. He motioned her back to work and spoke to her quietly while she weeded.

“M’lady,” Smithers said softly. “We must ready ourselves to leave this place. It is not safe for you here.”

In her excitement to see her friend, Kate’s words came at a rush. “How did you know where I was? How did you find me? I have been so worried about you. Are you well? They took me for ransom, Smithers. As you surely know, there is no ransom. Their laird, Shane MacGregor, oh well, you know who he is. You must, mustn’t you?” she said rapidly. “He went to England. Of course, he found out about Sidney and my lack of fortune. When I first arrived the housekeeper said he would return me straight away. After the evening meal last night, he told me I was to stay with the clan and having no place to go, I dared not leave.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she slowed then hiccupped. “I am so very glad to see you.”

Smithers put his hands to his lips. “Calm yourself, m’lady. It is not our wish to arouse suspicion. I am glad to see you as well.” Smithers allowed a brief smile to touch his eyes.

“You are being treated well, certainly not as a prisoner from what I can see. We do not want to draw attention. They believe I am no more than a monk making my way through this land.”

Kate nodded and took a deep breath. She stood and turned toward Smithers, unable to concentrate on her weeding. In her excitement, she had mistakenly pulled up several herbs. Time to quit.

“When the time is right, we will take our leave. I have been formulating a plan. You must understand, m’lady, time is of the essence. They may have a change of heart and decide to rid themselves of a witness who could potentially do them harm.”

Kate bowed her head while she listened, but immediately raised it and searched Smithers’ eyes. “As much as I was ready to last night, I realized I mustn’t leave now. The laird’s father has been seriously wounded in a conflict with a neighboring clan. I found him suffering. He was in a dreadful state. I must stay until he is fully recovered. I won’t leave him, Smithers. I cannot.”

“M’lady, you must surely see that to delay could put you in greater danger,” Smithers reasoned.

“No, I will not leave this man to face what could still be, his death. I must stay,” Kate said firmly. “He is healing quickly. It will only be for a short while longer.”

Smithers sighed. “It matters not how kind these people have been to you. You do not know them. If what I’ve heard about them is true, we are at risk. They could turn on you and my guess is they will if they feel the least bit threatened.”

Kate, with a look that brooked no argument, folded her arms across her chest. Smithers had lost his battle.

“I will make the necessary plans for our departure. When the man is no longer in danger, we will take our leave.”

Kate waved him away with a brilliant smile, feeling more in control and confident now than she had in weeks. Smithers was here.

Chapter 15

Seamus sat at the desk in Shane’s cramped study.

“The lass has no money,” Seamus said to Iain. “Shane saw for himself. Colquhoun is dead. His brother is Lord Colquhoun now and he won’t pay a pound.”

“Ye counted on the wrong brother,” Shane said as he put his hand on Iain’s shoulder. “Leave the lass alone about it. She’s been through enough without having to explain.”

“Aye,” Iain agreed and left.

After Iain left, Shane said to Seamus, “She wants to leave. I asked her where she was goin’. She dinna say.”

“We canna let her go unless she has somethin’ in her mind. The Campbells are out there for sure. We dinna want her to run into them.” Seamus rubbed his forehead. “No tellin’ what they would do.”

“Aye.”

Shane hoped she would stay. He did not share with his father the feelings of desire he had for Kate. He admonished himself and had no wish to hear the same from Seamus. He needed to marry for wealth, for lands, for a dowry. He should put her out of his head. Yet he could not stop thinking about her. Her beauty, her way with the clan, and her spirit had no bearing on what he must do for his clan and the decisions made for the best interest of them all.

Moving to other discussions, father and son related to the clan as a whole. Worries about his father’s health put to rest, Shane concentrated on his clan.

“Da, what do ye think of seein’ about how the MacDougalls and mayhap the MacDonalds would feel about joinin’ forces against the Campbells? Do ye think they would be willin’?”

“Idea ye have there is a good one.”

“If we could, for now, draw more men off defense and put them to work in the fields, it would increase our food stores for winter.” Shane paced the tiny study. “I could ride to each and ask for their thoughts on the subject. Mayhap their agreement.”

“Aye, a petition for alliance.” Seamus tented his fingers under his chin. “’Tis just the thing.”

“The MacDougalls must be struggling as well with attacks from the Campbell’s on their borders,” Shane said. “The MacDonald clan is far enough north to have only their southern border abutting the clan Campbell.”

“To reach either clan, ye will have to travel through Campbell land.” Seamus gripped his cane with worry on his face.

“Aye, I would. ‘Tis worth the risk. If both or either clan can work with the Clan MacGregor, we might be able to create enough protection for all.”

“The laird of the MacDonalds has a daughter of marriageable age. Mayhap could be used to obtain security for an alliance as well as lands through a dowry.”

Shane saw his father eyeing him closely.

“’Tis going to take a diplomatic attitude to convince the clan to ally with us. A marriage could possibly be required,” Seamus remarked.

Shane’s heart sank. “For the good of the clan. Never did I think I would do anything but.” His mind spun with yearnings for Kate.

“The Campbells are creating a dangerous nuisance for all three of the clans. Believing no harm will come to them because of the king’s denunciation, they raid at a whim, stealing cattle and sheep.” Shane sat down with a clenched fist on the table.

“With a bordering clan as our ally, we would be able to, put the Campbells back in their place.”

Changing the subject, Shane brought up the idea of improvements to their stock and lands using some innovative ideas he had brought home from England.

“Nay,” Seamus cried, “I tell ye we are not farmers. The lads won’t have it.”

“Edward Maxwell swears by the new ideas. Says they are not just old men talking. The ideas have been put into practice. They work.” Shane threw himself into the chair across from his father.

“Ye are expectin’ a goodly amount from the clan. Ye’ll have to convince them.”

“I first, have to convince ye. Ye have ideas of yer own. I’ve seen them.”

“Aye, I thought we could do a bit different with the livestock. Use a breedin’ plan rather than just whatever bull got there first,” Seamus said, his chin in hand.

Shane convinced Seamus his agricultural plans would work as well. After considering them seriously, Seamus nodded.

“Aye, son. It may take a bit of convincing, ye know. Our men haven’t put a plow to the ground in years. I believe they’ll do it for ye if ye explain yer plans and they see the benefits.” Seamus smiled and patted his son on the shoulder. “I may have been against ye in the beginning but I’m seeing the benefits this would bring. I’m behind ye.”

Shane brought up the subject of Lord Colquhoun.

“I dinna think anything of the problem. It no longer exists.” Seamus frowned, deep in thought. “No harm has come of kidnappin’ Kate and none will. Colquhoun has no regard for his sister-in-law and likely dinna know she is missing. No retribution will come from that quarter.”

Kate sat in her place at the end of the table as the noon meal was being served. As Shane and Seamus approached, Shane noticed Iain giving her a long, wistful look.

Shane strode up to the pair. He kneed Iain, pushing him aside. He didn’t like Iain’s attention toward Kate however innocent. Iain did not view Kate with any romantic intentions, or did he?

“Iain, yer needed out on the training field.” Shane chastised himself for the small lie. He had no right feeling anything but gratitude and possibly friendship toward the woman. Yet possession was what he felt. Shane elbowed Iain in the ribs. Shane scowled. Iain cleared his throat and immediately stood.

“Aye,” Iain said. He looked to Kate. “I’ll take my leave.”

Kate smiled and nodded.

After the meal, Shane and Iain went to Shane’s study. With the possibility of an alliance between the MacGregor, MacDougall, and MacDonald clans, they would have more men to work rather than training and protecting the borders from raids.

“We can clear the irrigation and draining ditches. They are clogged with tree limbs, mud. Who knows what else during the past years? There has been no time.”

Situated as they were on the mountainous west of Scotland, they received a good amount of rainfall. To enable crops to grow, the water-logged land needed draining.

“With more men, I believe we could use the ditches again.” Shane became excited despite himself.

Caught up in Shane’s enthusiasm, Iain said, “The land needs clearing. Every year the forest threatens to take over fields with saplings and brush. Stones and small boulders push themselves up from the rocky ground. We would need men to clear and work them to a condition to make planting possible.” Iain looked at Shane. “Would have to happen quickly. The season is upon us.”

Through Lord Maxwell’s connections Shane sent home two wagons filled with sacks of oat grain. Shane was forced to use these connections rather than purchase the grain himself. Named as an outlaw by the king, he had
no buying and selling rights in England. Colquhoun and the Campbells had started the trouble but King James had ended it. Instead of citing the troublemakers, he’d punished the MacGregors to fill his pockets.
With this grain, additional barley seed and potatoes ready to plant, his clan could plant more of the fields left to fallow over the years of battling and raids.

“I think we should ask Kate for her help. She knows a garden. While ye were away I walked with her a bit. She knows about plants growin’ around here ye can eat.” Iain nodded at Shane’s skeptical look. “Kate could help with the vegetable gardens.”

Shane was reluctant but intrigued by Iain’s suggestion. He was impressed by the lady’s knowledge. He saw what she had accomplished with his mother’s herb garden. He trusted Iain’s judgment on the possibilities but questioned whether she would be agreeable to the idea.

“I’ll ask her if she would be willin’ to help.” Iain started to stand.

“Nay, my friend, ‘tis my clan and it should be me doing the asking. I’ll talk to her this evening after the meal.” Shane sighed, knowing the lady might turn him down. He hadn’t spoken with her alone since announcing she would stay with the clan. He didn’t know her thoughts and wasn’t sure he wanted to.

“Will be dangerous riding through the Campbell’s land and ye may need some help by yer side. Let me ride with ye to provide an extra sword if needed.”

“Och, man, I would not go without ye,” Shane said. He rose and put his arm around his friend’s shoulder. “We’ll take a few men with us and sneak right by the bastards. No worries.”

Iain slapped his friend on the back, a grin on his face.

“I need to get the men’s agreement on this. I am the MacGregor and can tell them what I want.” Shane frowned. “For this, I need them to feel a part of it.”

Iain said, “Shane, yer their laird. They’ll do what ye tell them. They know ye, they trust ye.”

“Some of them are going to have a hard time. Some of the younger men have never used a plow. They see themselves as warriors.

As the MacGregor, he would speak to Kate regarding his request. As Shane, he wanted her help because she wanted to help him.

“Kate, can I have a word with ye?” Shane raised his voice to be heard across the hall.

Kate kept walking. She hadn’t heard. He thought surely she had. Frustrated, he followed. She had disappeared.

As the day passed, she seemed to know when he wanted to speak with her and was one step ahead of him by engaging in a conversation with another or suddenly needed elsewhere. She made a point of leaving when he entered a room. He was left frustrated. He caught her watching him several times, as soon as he made eye contact she would gaze at an object beyond him and then turn away. The lady made it quite clear she wanted nothing to do with him. During meal times when the clan was present she would be cordial but would leave the hall as soon as she could. Whatever her answer was, he had to talk with her soon.

Kate walked around the isle in the evening after the meal enjoying a bit of quiet after the noise of the clan. Unaccustomed to so many people after living virtually alone for so many years, her walks allowed her some peace and to escape the MacGregor.

She could not seem to get Shane out of her head. Her nerves were stretched taut. She was frustrated and a bit frightened of the feelings she had for him. Hers had been trampled on for so long, first by her father and then by Sidney.

Her social inexperience with people as a whole but men in particular, had left her feeling unable to control her feelings and desires for Shane. She wanted to be near him and it scared her. She worked in her garden when he was outdoors. She’d find an important chore to do in the hall when he was in his study. Her silliness annoyed her and she’d leave quickly when she did see him. It was embarrassing, her acting like a young girl with a crush. Where was her pride?

It was obvious the only feeling the laird had for her was what she’d done for his father. Kate did not know what to make of her behavior. She seemed powerless to stop herself.

As she rounded the corner stairs, heading up to retreat to her room for the night, she saw the MacGregor walking toward her. She immediately turned and walked the other way.

“M’lady,” Shane called softly to Kate.

Kate’s heart pounded as she turned. She remained silent. She didn’t trust her voice to work just then. “M’lady, if I may have a word with ye.”

Kate followed him up the stone staircase.

At the top, Shane stepped across the hallway and drew back a curtain leading to an alcove with a small window. He indicated to her a bench overlooking the loch. Torches surrounding the courtyard were lit and Kate could see Shane’s face. When they sat, Kate felt Shane’s warm body next to her. She shivered slightly.

Kate surprised Shane when he sat down next to her. Her wonderful scent and softness made his body react. He wanted to hold her in his arms. How did he ever think he was going to be able to sit next to her? He cleared his throat, unable to speak while he collected his wits.

In a hoarse voice, he said, “M’lady, thank ye for speaking with me. I’ve spent a great deal of time with my da to bring this clan back to the flourishing people they once were. We have been fighting for so long many of the men dinna know what 'tis like to be home tending their cattle and working their fields. Some even feel ‘tis beneath them as warriors. I am committed to try.”

Kate looked at Shane with her beautiful eyes and nodded.

“Let me first say to ye again, how grateful I am for my da’s recovery. Ye saved his life and I will forever be in yer debt.

Kate smiled. “I did what I could. He is a fine gentleman.”

Shane coughed and continued. “I have seen ye with the herb garden and Iain has sung yer praises. He told me of yer knowledge of plants. I am hoping ye would agree to help, if I may impose upon ye once again.” Shane stopped talking, relieved he had gotten the request out.

As the MacGregor, he was unaccustomed to asking for help but it was something else too. He wanted her to stay. She had to stay, not by force, but because she wanted to. His feelings for her grew stronger daily. He wanted to protect her, to hold her, and comfort her. From the rumors, innuendo, and actual facts he had obtained in England, he knew her life had not been easy married to Colquhoun. He surmised the pain she must have felt. He wanted to make sure she was never hurt again. She appeared fragile. He saw her spine of iron.

He imagined what it would be like to kiss her lush lips. He knew her laughter and her joy, had watched her several times when she wasn’t aware of his presence, and had seen
a different woman who sat beside him now. He gazed at her, unable to stop admiring the soft planes of her face, her fair skin, and the way her rose petal lips pressed together, revealing her nervousness. He took in her soft curves and inviting lips.