FLAME ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS (26 page)

Restless and unhappy sh
e rose form he chair, unwilling to think another moment about it.  Oh, she would leave all right.  But without his fine help. When the first light of Dawn glowed on the horizon, she would be gone.             

“So, ye are tanist, Ian. I’d say it’s about time our uncle named ye so.” Robbie pushed his way through the throng of revelers, maneuvering Ian to a far corner where they could be alone. “Congratulations!”

Ian stared hard at him, searching his face for any sign of jealousy, but
there was none. By the large smile that cut its way across the freckled face, his sincere good wishes were not being feigned. Still, Ian said, “I hope you are not disappointed.”

“Disappointed? I’ve looked up to ye all my life and never doubted for a moment that it would be ye who would be named our uncle’s successor. Ye are a fine mon, Ian. The best I’ve ever known. I only hope some day to be even half as fine a fighter as ye are.”

“You will be, laddie. You will be.” A twinge of guilt flashed through Ian as he looked into Robbie’s unabashedly worshipful eyes and remembered the many times he’d come so close to making Brianna his own. In truth, it was Robbie who was the better man, for he doubted the boy would have come so close to wronging him had their
curans
been on the other’s foot. Ian felt a sudden need to confess, before his conscience got the better of him. “Robbie….there is something I must tell you.”

“That ye love Brianna Macquarie wi’ all yer heart. I already know.”

“You know?” Ian looked at him, horrified. “Then you must think the very worst of me despite what you just said.” He grasped Robbie by the shoulders. “I can not ask you to forgive me, only to understand. When I went to Ulva to act in your place I had it in mind to be honorable, but I saw this lovely lassie by the loch and I kissed her. I didn’t know then who she was, I swear. Or perhaps I didn’t want to know.”

“And ye fell in love.”

“Before I had the chance to arm myself against Cupid’s bow. Aye, he is devilish and a very, very good shot! I can not tell you when I knew I loved her. It just happened.” Ian shook his head sadly. “But that’s not the worst of it. Perhaps I could excuse myself of any wrongdoing had it ended there, but it was only the beginning. I would have made her mine, Robbie. Not once, but several times, had she not pulled away. So, you see, the man you think so highly of is nothing but the lowest scoundrel.”

“A mon canna help what is in his heart.” Robbie as quick to forgive and this only made Ian feel worse.

“You forgive me too easily. I wanted your intended bride, Robbie. I still do, God help me. More than this honor I’ve coveted so long of being the Campbell’s chief someday. You see, when all is said and done, and it is you who say the vows with her, ‘tis you who will have been granted the greatest prize. She is a bonnie, braw lassie.”

“Aye, she is.”

Ian sighed softly. “I wish you well.”

Robbie put one hand on his hip, the twinkle in his
eye replaced by one of anger. “Just like that! Ye’ll gi’ her up so easily? Shame on ye, Ian. That’s not the mon I know so well.”

Ian was shocked. “What else can I do?”

“There has to be something.” Robbie made his own confession. “I like Brianna, she’s a comely lassie to be certain, but I dinna want to marry her, ye see.”

“What?” the thought that Robbie would not want Brianna had never entered Ian’s head. “She’s a beauty! Any man would be proud to have her as wife.”

“If he were not likewise in love!” As Ian met his gaze, Robbie smiled again. “Aye. Ye see Cupid has an even stranger sense of humor than ye thought. I dinna argue the fact that the MacQuarie lassie is a fine companion. Lovely as ye say. But she doesna strike any chord in my heart. Nor does she hae any but friendly feelings toward me. She did in fact confide to me how very taken she is wi’ you and I approved most heartily.”

Hearing his words, Ian whooped with glee, sending all clansmen’s eyes his way.
Cautiously, he lowered his voice. “Then surely there is something we can do to bring about a happy ending. For you, for me, and for the lassie I love. Don’t you suppose?” Picking up two empty goblets, he filled them up. “To the future and to happiness for us all!” Now there was but one obstacle that stood in their paths. The most resilient of all. Duncan.

Chapter Thirty-One

Drunken laughter awakened Brianna from
a fitful sleep. The Campbells were celebrating Ian's thrust to power with ale and wine and vainglorious boasts.  She could hear feminine giggles as well and supposed that more than drinking was going on in the hall.  Telling herself that she was disinterested in what was happening, she nonetheless tiptoed from her chamber and hovered just outside the large hall's door.  It appeared that every member of the Campbell Clan was assembled, each with a tankard, cup or flagon in their hand. She could see Perth, Aulay, and the others, encircling Ian,  men offering hearty congratulations. The women entwined themselves around him, and Brianna thought sourly that it would take little time for victory and pride to take her place in his affections. 

             
She had to leave here.  Escape, or risk the consequences of her attraction to Ian.  For if she stayed she felt of a certainty she would succumb to her feelings for him and do or say something she would later regret. Aye, she would get away from here and the temptation Ian Campbell posed.  Darach had undoubtedly already left, but she'd find another fisherman and sail back to her Clan.  Her father would not even know what happened, nor would she tell him.   She'd keep Duncan's vile nature a secret for the moment. She would not risk anger between the clans.  Besides, he would undoubtedly place the  blame rightly on her.  No, instead she would merely take her place alongside Glenna and pretend she had never been gone.  Ah, she would return to Duncan's hall but with her father as protector. Then, after the formal betrothal had been pledged she would marry Robbie.  It was about time she came to terms with the  truth--there was no other choice.

She had to act while the men were preoccupied with their ale guzzling.  They would be too besotted to give any lassie a thought.  So much the better.  Perhaps Ian's rise to power could be beneficial.

Brianna made her way to the kitchen, thankful now that she had familiarized herself vaguely with the castle's interior. There she assembled what supplies she could for the journey, placing the larger foodstuffs in a large sack and the smaller in a fancily decorated sporran that she borrowed from a peg  on the wall.  It was dark, the hallway ill-lighted and she fumbled around, holding her breath once or twice when her gropings sent something falling to the floor.  Gathering her courage she stepped outside.

The moon was shrouded by dark clouds, her only guide was the light of the fading stars.  Nevertheless
, she plucked up her courage, looking back many times to make certain that she had not been seen leaving.  If only she could put as much distance as possible between herself and Ian, she would get through her heartache somehow.  At least her pride would be salvaged she thought sadly.  And perhaps happiness was only a dream after all.

Brianna stealthfully crept out of the castle, hiding in the shadows, conscious of every sound.  That was why her ears perceived so readily the sound of footsteps behind her.   Stopping in her tracks
, she listened again. Her pursuer seemed to be playing a game.  When she walked he walked, when she halted, he did likewise.  Trying to outsmart him, she dodged in and out amongst the barrels but seemingly all for naught.  There, looming in the semidarkness was a hulking figure, blocking her way of escape.  Brianna recognized the man immediately as the one who had initiated her capture in the first place.  The man she had heard called "Perth".             

Perth
's features seemed to be carved in stone.  He looked very strong and ominous as he stood there staring at her with his lone eye.  Brianna was powerless against the storm of fear that shattered all her resolve like an eggshell. She spun around, intending to put as much distance as she could between herself and Duncan's henchman, but in a few swift strides he had caught up with her, his hand curving brutally around her arm, jerking her back to face him.

"Were you going somewhere tonight?"  He smiled evilly and she thought how intensely she disliked this man. 

Futilely Brianna clawed at the imprisoning hand. "It was stuffy in my room and I thought to get some air."  The lie tripped off her tongue despite her trembling.

His small, pebble-like eye narrowed, but after a long moment he released his ho
ld on her, much to her relief. "Ye were going for a walk, is that what ye would hae me believe?"

"Aye!" she said cheerily.  "A walk!"  Clutching tightly to her sack
, she took a few tentative steps backwards. "And now I'll be on my way. Back from where I came."  She headed in the direction of the door. When he did not follow she was lulled with a  false sense of security and retreated a few steps more. It was a mistake, just the move he wanted her to make, for with a snarl he was upon her, shoving her so hard that she tumbled to the ground.  The impact with the hard earth jarred the sack loose and set the sporran around her waist to sway, scattering objects on the ground.

Perth
gave a bitter laugh. "So ye were just going for a stroll!" Bending down, he fingered the provisions with an oath, then stared hard at her.  "And I call ye
liar
.  Ye were leaving, make no mistake about it." 

"Nae!  Nae."  She shook her head furiously."

"Lying slut!"  His hand snaked out again, his fingers bruising where they pressed brutally against the fragile bones of her wrist.

"Don't ye be calling me names."  Undaunted
, she tried to wrest free of his grasp but he only squeezed harder, seemingly enjoying his torment of her. "Yer a brute."

He laughed
bitterly. "Ye canna insult me. I've been called worse."

"Ye remind me of a fachan, ye do.  A large, savage, ugly beastie."

"And ye remind me of someone, I knew. Someone as beautiful as ye are and just as deceiving."  His eye was like a weasel's, hungry and ferocious. With a chilling laugh he moved closer. "Aye, ye are much like her, but it is no'  a surprise since ye share her blood." 

"What?"  He thrust his face only a few inches from hers and Brianna knew
suddenly that he meant to kiss her. "Nae!  Ye leave me alone."  In answer he laughed again, this time pinching her breast. 

"Aye, I'll take ye back to the castle, but perhaps first
I'll hae a bit of fun wi' ye. There are ways for a maiden to enjoy a man and still keep intact.  Shall I show ye?"

"Ye must be mad!"
Taking a deep breath  she let it out in a scream.

Ia
n heard the shriek of outrage. In frightened curiosity he followed the sound.  Seeing the two battling figures, he flung himself forward.  At his intrusion Perth loosened his grasp and looked in Ian's direction as he asked, "What is going on?"

At that moment Ian's voice was the dearest sound in all the world to Brianna.

"She was trying to run away and I caught her red-handed. Ye know the orders we had from Duncan." 

"Leave her be!  I'll watch her.  I doubt
Duncan would approve of yer boorish pawing despite what he said."  Brandishing a sword, Ian gave threatening warning.  "Turn her loose."

"This is none of yer concern!"

"Ah, but it is.  I make it so."  Ian was not about to capitulate to this brute.  He knew Perth too well to be frightened. Perth was a coward when faced by strength. Women and the helpless were who he preyed on.

"Ye may be Tanist be ye are no' the Chieftain yet."

"No, but I'm man enough to cut you down to size."             

"Aye?"

Like an enraged bull, Perth sprang to his feet, challenging Ian to lay down his broadsword and meet him hand to hand. Ian accepted the  dare. Grappling on the floor, the two men wrestled, Perth, the burlier of the two, but Ian's lithe  muscular grace giving him the edge.

It was a melee of cursing and shouting.  Fistcuffs and kicking. First Ian would falter
, then Perth would fail in his strategy.  Ian's slyness and strength won out. He pummeled the taller man to near senselessness, stopping only when Duncan's guards, alerted to trouble by the noise and yells, came rushing  to pull the two men apart.

"What is this all about?" 
Duncan came upon the scene with all the ferocity of a thundercloud. Looking from Ian to Perth and back again he demanded an answer.

"Yer little
MacQuarie lassie was trying to escape the hospitality ye've extended.  I was merely trying to hold her in check when yer nephew appeared. He seems to hae a strange view of loyalty."

"Escape?" 
Duncan was as angry as Brianna had supposed. For an instant she thought he would strike her, but he maintained control. "Ye shouldna hae tried to run away. Ye are a guest here, lass."

"A prisoner don't ye mean."

"Ye've been dealt gently with but from now one ye will get no such courtesy." He gesticulated to a man standing behind him.  "From now on lock her in."  He smiled beneficently at her." It is my duty as yer future clan chief and kin-by-marriage to make certain ye dunna come to harm."

Brianna waited expectantly for Ian to come to he
r defense, to argue her enforced detainment, but only silence prevailed.  So, that was the way of things, she thought.  When it came to choosing between his laird and what was right he was was a silent coward.  Disappointment swelled within her.  As Duncan Campbell led her back up the stairs, she rendered Ian a scalding look, more determined than ever that somehow, someway, she would get free without his help.  And for the first time since she had initiated the masquerade idea with Glenna, she found herself hoping her sister would fail and that her father would indeed bring down his wrath upon Duncan's head.