Dawn Annis (16 page)

Chapter 22

Shane noted with satisfaction that they made good time as they rode west toward MacDougall land. They’d journeyed across Campbell land without incident. Though Shane knew their intrusion could not have gone unnoticed.

“I haven’t seen a rider.” Iain turned in his saddle and looked behind.

“Nay, but they are there. Any man crossing our land would have drawn our notice. Perhaps the Campbells dinna feel the need to bother with such a small group. Stay wary,” Shane said.

They rode for a short time after passing through Campbell land when the first of the MacDougall clan greeted them.

The ocean was close and Shane and his men could smell the salt in the breeze. Soon quite a few MacDougalls surrounded them.

“Hi ho,” the man said to Shane. He held his hand up for the men to stop. “I am called Sean. We will travel with ye to the laird.”

The men were pleasant enough but direct. The MacGregor clan was not an enemy of the MacDougalls but anyone riding on their land was escorted to the MacDougall laird. Times were unsure, and they trusted no one.

They arrived at MacDougall castle at Oban. While Shane had been a guest of the MacDougalls before, some of his men had not seen the castle. They marveled at the sight. Constructed out of the cliff face, the cliff itself formed the front wall of the castle with the back facing the sea. A series of terraces and stairways allowed access to the lower floors from the back. Entrance to the front was gained through a stone gate with flanking towers. The towers with their murder holes gave excellent defense from the front. The surrounding cliffs and the sea more than satisfactorily protected the rear.

The main hall was located in the upper floors of the castle contrary to most situated on the ground floor.

“The MacDougalls do not have a great number of livestock as they depend on the sea for most of their food and comfort.” Shane pointed to boys of the clan. “The younger ones tend a few sheep and goats.”

The men nodded their interest.

“The small herd is driven up a rocky path in the morning to this pasture directly in front of the towers and gate. At night they are taken back down to the lowest area of the castle near the stables.”

Shane and his men dismounted and were met by a sweet-smelling piper. Pipers were usually the only learned men of the clans and this one was no different. However, this man thought quite well of himself to use such an expensive item as perfume. The position was hereditary and revered and this particular piper was obviously important to his laird, Shane thought.

As Shane made his way to the dais where the MacDougall laird sat, he noticed the tartan hanging like a sail from the ceiling
.
The plaid was red with blue horizontal stripes over green vertical stripes. It had a fine double white stripe running against the green. The plaid he knew represented the people of the MacDougall clan as well as its locale. The green was the cliff and the blue depicted the ocean. The red represented the courage of the people while the double white stripe described their conquering of the elements surrounding them.

Shane greeted the laird of the MacDougall clan on one knee. Iain standing a few paces behind his laird also lower himself down to his knee.

“M’lord, the Lord of Lorn. The MacDougall of clan MacDougall, I come to ye bringing good wishes from my da and the Clan MacGregor,” Shane said solemnly.

“Rise warrior and laird. I hear tell ye are the MacGregor of Clan Macgregor.”

Shane lifted his head from its honoring bow. The brief ceremonies were finished, he stood.

“Aye, that I am. My da was injured. He now recovers. ‘Tis with his blessing I am here. Though I may be laird, my da’s words are important.”

“Aye, they are, son. Ye father is a wise and brave man. Come, sit and tell me what brings ye to us,” Angus MacDougall said, gesturing for Shane and Iain to sit with him.

Shane spoke directly and with no hesitation to the MacDougall about his plan for alliance between the two clans.

“The Clan Campbell have taken more than their share against us. The king does nothing because of who we are. Ye know it’s wrong though I dinna expect ye to speak out about it. We want an informal joining of our two clans, with the possibility of the McDonalds as well. I want the chance to build Clan MacGregor but I canna see it as long as we are plagued by them.”

“Want me to have a go at them?” The MacDougall said with some concern. “I dinna want them on my back.”

“Nay, of course, ye dinna. I dinna want ye to fight the MacGregor battle. That is for me alone. What I need from ye is for ye to patrol yer eastern border against the damn Campbells so I can free up my men for other tasks.”

“Aye, I see yer position on the matter. We have our own score to settle with the Clan Campbell, ye see. Though it has been three hundred years, I dinna think the lads will have much trouble with the idea.”

The MacDougall took a drink of ale to wet his mouth for the telling of his tale.

Shane noticed Iain. He gestured for him to sit down and he lifted one brow.

“The whole thing started with Robert the Bruce. We, MacDougalls, were against the Bruce and his politics. So when he came to the Highlands to escape his enemies, three MacDougall brothers chased him and quite nearly caught him.

“The Bruce was able to kill one of the brothers. The second brother came close enough to grab the man’s stirrup. The wily Bruce stood in his saddle, trapping the poor man’s fingers. He dragged him a wee bit before the brother was able to free his hand.

“The third came close enough to the Bruce to snatch his cloak, ye see. Got a pretty good hold on it. The Bruce’s brooch gave way. The cloak with the brooch came off the Bruce and he made his escape.”

The MacDougall was a huge man with a bush of blond hair and blue eyes adding credence to his Norse heritage. He chuckled as he rose from his chair by the fire. In his hand, an enormous brooch with a gem caught the light and shone brightly.

“‘Tis a beauty, m’lord. And hard won.” Shane admired the brooch.

“After he defeated his enemies, he took our lands and this castle. They all ended up in Campbell hands, that dinna surprise ye. Them bastards still have the Castle Dunstaffnage. We never could recover it, ye see.”

The MacDougall tossed the brooch up and caught it.

“We still have this and we got our land and this castle back from the thieves. Aye, we’re with ye, lad.”

MacDougall rubbed his hands together briskly.

“Let’s see what the women have for their laird and his guests to eat.”

Shane ran his hand through his hair, shrugged his shoulders at Iain and smiled as he followed the laird.

Shane was willing to listen to the family history, but after the day’s ride and the ever-present feeling of urgency to form these alliances, he was sure his men were tired and hungry.

The women of the clan were informed of their guest’s arrival and turned out a feast to honor them as well as display the clans’ wealth. They sent boys out to the tidal pools constructed to hold the day’s catch. The pools held the various types of shellfish alive until the cook needed them. Boys kept the tidal pools clean, always replacing and replenishing the catch every few days.

The main course of the meal was, of course, shellfish. On the rough-hewn table, a majestic swan. The bird had been cleaned but not plucked. Then roasted with the body cavity stuffed with grains and vegetables. The meal was rounded out with fresh bread and sweet butter made from goat’s milk. Although the fare was simple, it was delicious. Shane and his men ate with gusto. Shane particularly enjoyed the shellfish, as he did not eat it often.

Shane finished his wine and signaled the servant girl for ale. Wine was fine with dinner. But if he was going to be drinking for any length of time, he preferred ale. He knew the evening had just begun, as visitors were rare among the Highlanders. The country was not easy to travel across. The Clan MacDougall would celebrate with festivities long into the night.

After the meal and several cups of wine, the MacDougall leaned over to talk with Shane.

“I have me a daughter close to marrying age. Shall we have a wedding in the morning to seal this agreement?”

Bloody hell. Shane ran his hand through his hair. Wedding? Would marrying this daughter preclude any chance of the MacDonald alliance? Shane and his father had anticipated marriage. They had not planned on both clans issuing the requirement. They had been unaware of the MacDougall daughter.

“I dinna know ye to have a daughter, m’lord. Sons . . .”

“Aye. She’s a bit young, almost thirteen. I’m willing to give her to ye as good faith to our agreement.”

Thinking quickly, Shane said, “M’lord, the Clan MacGregor trusts the MacDougall with his word. I canna think of taking a child away from her family with a marriage contract, especially one so young.”

“Aye, it’s just as well. She’s as ugly as a mud puddle. I fear I’ll never find her a husband worth anything. I love her, ye understand. She has a face only her father will love. Ye canna blame me for trying.”

The MacDougall grinned and filled his cup once again.

Shane chanced a glance over at Iain. Iain’s face was bright red, tears coursing their way down his cheeks as he struggled not to laugh out loud. The MacDougall’s proposal had caught them both off guard. Iain quickly excused himself and made his way outside. Shane thought he heard laughter and hoped the MacDougall did not.

The celebration had lasted well into the early morning hours. Finally, Shane and Iain, who had recovered himself and rejoined the group, bade their host ‘good evening’ and found their way to the stables to catch a few hours of sleep. The MacDougall had offered accommodations among the apartments in the lower floors of the castle.

“I thank ye, m’lord, but I have need to speak to my men. Plans must be made.”

“Aye, son, I know. If ye change yer mind, the bed is yers.”

Shane politely bowed and headed for the stables. More than one bridegroom had found his way to the altar by imbibing too much and shuffling himself off to sleep, only to find his host’s daughter in his bed the next morning. Shane knew the laird was disappointed by not having found a husband for his homely daughter. He was not going to sacrifice himself for the cause.

He was greatly relieved the MacDougall had not made it a requirement for the alliance. He worried about the McDonald lass and the alliance there. He also worried about Kate. He could see her in the garden, tending her plants. He could smell her. The spot right beneath her jawline. He could feel himself nuzzle her neck. God, he missed her.

When morning came, the people of the Clan MacDougall and their guests were moving slow. Shane hurried his men to ready the horses so he could say farewell. He didn’t ask the laird for men to ride to the MacDonalds. He wanted to get out of there and quick. He didn’t want to take any further chances of the laird of Clan MacDougall changing his mind.

Chapter 23

Smithers waited for Kate in the lovely stone chapel off the main hall. The altar sat at the opposite end of the heavy wooden door, in front of a tall stained-glass collage of windows depicting several scenes of Christ’s life. Pewter candelabrums with tallow candles sat on either side of the altar. The four oak pews rested on the stone floor. Colorful tapestries graced the side walls.

Kate found Smithers in the front pew. His gaze was intent at the sunlit stained glass as she walked up to him.

“Smithers.”

Startled, he said, “M’lady, I did not hear you come in. You have to be careful with the old man. You very nearly scared me to an early grave.”

Kate smiled at his teasing. She noticed tears in his eyes. She decided not to ask, but to allow him to explain if he chose.

“You are not an old man. Plenty of years left, I’d say.”

Smithers smiled at her, moving over so she could join him. “I was thinking about the past, missing old friends.”

Kate sat next to him enjoying a comfortable silence before they both started speaking.

“I wanted to—” Kate said.

“Let me start by—” Smithers said.

They both laughed.

Smithers gave Kate a brief nod.

“Please, m’lady, you begin.”

“Well, I wanted to say how glad I am you are here with me. I know you wanted to whisk me away as soon as you arrived. I’m glad you gave me the time to make sure Seamus was well and healed.” She put her arm around Smithers’ shoulders. “I also appreciate your ruse as a brother of the church.” Kate giggled.

“It pleases me, m’lady, to bring you joy.” Smithers scowled but his eyes twinkled.

“It has given me a certain satisfaction to live as a man of the cloth, wearing this robe, and listening to confession. Although the confessional box is not as entertaining as perhaps it could be.”

“I know this was not what we had planned,” Kate said, turning serious.

“No, m’lady, it is not. However, here we are and if I were to be honest, I do not regret it. The whole experience is rewarding nonetheless. You have met and fallen in love with a good man. One who returns your love. You have become a part of a people who need and appreciate you. They love you for who you are, not for what you gain for them.” Smithers turned, hands on Kate’s shoulders.

Kate looked at Smithers, her eyes bright.

“I cannot believe it. It seems to be a dream at times. I have found love, Smithers. Shane is wonderful. He is sweet and kind. So very gentle.” Kate blushed.

“You are deserving of all happiness. Perhaps soon, it will be time to discard my robes.”

Kate laughed. “Yes, I think we had better before they have you officiate over our marriage.”

Smithers smiled and nodded in agreement. “There is one item I must discuss with you, however.”

“Of course,” Kate agreed. “My personal items will need to be moved as well as some other possessions before Andrew takes the cottage. Sentimental items I cannot bear to have him take.”

Smithers nodded again. “Nothing needs to be done with the servants at Dumbarton cottage. They are Lord Colquhoun’s property.”

“He will be as cruel a master as his brother was. I want to give them the choice to live here in Scotland or go their own way. I should discuss this with Shane before we send for them. It would mean more mouths to feed.”

“M’lady, do not be offended if he does not agree. He bears a great deal of weight.”

“Yes, I know.” Kate bowed her head. “Smithers, you should remain in your pious robes until Shane’s return. He should know of the deception and the reasons behind it before the clan.”

“What about Seamus?” Kate plucked at her skirt.

“Shane is the laird of the MacGregor clan. He deserves the respect that is his due.”

“You are right, of course,” Kate said.

Kate and Smithers stood at the door of the chapel. He held her as a father would then he kissed her on her cheek.

“I have need to discuss one other bit with you. I fear we will be noticed. Another time.”

“M’lady, my heart is full of pride and joy when my eyes set sight on you. I believe your father and mother would be equally proud. I have stood at your side through all that has passed your way and watched you grow into a lady full of grace and elegance. You are deserving of this love you have found.”

Kate looked up into her friend’s blue eyes, surprised by the tears she saw there again. She loved him. He was her friend and guardian but also a father to her. He was proud of her. He’d been with her through her whole life.

“It is time to retreat to our respective evenings. We would not wish for prying eyes to become suspicious.”

Kate watched Smithers return to the pew and sit down heavily. He looked at the window and resumed his deep thoughts.

It didn’t occur to her until later why Smithers had included her father in his comments.