The Accidental Highland Hero (18 page)

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Eilis couldn’t eat a bite of her food when James and Eanruig returned to the great hall. Everyone watched their laird as concerned as she was.

James leaned over to whisper something in his mother’s ear then kissed her cheek. He glanced at Eilis, but he hid his feelings well, and she couldn’t tell what the matter was. Then he stalked out of the hall while Eanruig spread the word about the trouble. All the men began rising from their benches and followed James out of the hall, like sheep following their sheepherder, only they looked ready to do battle with some unseen force.

Dunbarton’s men again?

Lady Beatrice was speaking to Lady Akira about the matter, Eilis was certain, but she couldn’t hear their words. At first, Nighinn listened to her mother and Lady Akira’s conversation but then she turned to Eilis and gave her an icy glower.

“Ye are not from a clan James is considering to tie with his own through marriage.”

Eilis didn’t intend to respond, but Lady Akira was closely watching Nighinn. As if she feared Eilis might say the wrong thing and ruin the charade, Lady Akira abruptly rose from her chair and ended the meal.

Which, considering most of the men had left and the women were in a tither over the matter, was just as well. Besides, Eilis was grateful she didn’t have to contend with James’s cousin for a moment longer.

But the best news was Tavia was nowhere in sight, and Eilis assumed the healer was still with the lady who needed her help in delivering her bairn. Even Fergus had left with James, and it appeared Eilis finally had a means of escape.

But Lady Akira motioned to Nesta, and when the maid joined her, she said, “Stay with Eilis.”

“Aye, my lady.”

Och, of all the women to serve Eilis, why the woman who wove the greatest tales? Still, there were no men sent to guard Eilis and…

His expression concerned, Niall reappeared and crossed the hall to join them. Before he even spoke a word, Eilis’s heart sank.

He said to his aunt, “James asked me to stay and take charge here in his absence.” He glanced at Eilis, and she knew he meant to foil her plot.

“Aye. See that Eilis is taken to her chamber. I hear she became indisposed earlier, and she must rest further.” Lady Akira’s dark eyes studied Eilis.

She couldn’t discern how his mother felt about Nesta’s accusations.

As kind as she’d been in taking Eilis in, she hoped the lady was not too perturbed with her. Lady Akira, Lady Beatrice, and Nighinn hurried off, while Niall, his mouth turned up slightly, his dark eyes even darker, escorted Eilis back to her chamber. Nesta trailed behind them.

“I believe,” Niall said, his words lowered for Eilis’s hearing only, “Lady Catriona is already too late in coming.” A devilish lift to his lips and a glint in his eyes indicated his amusement.

She was much relieved he made the comment only for her, because she knew if Nesta had caught his words, the tale would be all over the castle by morn. Eilis worried about the way Niall spoke low to her, his mouth a hair’s breadth away from her ear. What if Nesta would make something more of their relationship also?

“You think Nighinn has caught His Lairdship’s eye?” Eilis asked demurely.

Niall gave a short laugh. “Playing the innocent does not become you, dear lass.”

Och, she could slug the rogue if it were not that Nesta would tell everyone and it would get back to James. Then he’d want to know why she had struck his cousin. She was certain James would not appreciate his cousin’s teasing her. She wanted to ask Niall what he meant, but she didn’t truly want to hear what she feared everyone was saying.

“Nesta, straighten the chamber.” Niall motioned to the guest chamber.

“Aye, my laird.” Furrowing her brow, Nesta didn’t look happy to be dismissed.

After he shut the chamber door, he led Eilis to James’s chamber, and her heart beat wildly. Surely he did not think she had succumbed to James’s charms and now would Niall’s?  In James’s own chamber, for heaven’s sakes?

Niall shut James’s door. “Who is Fia?” He leaned against the solid wood, his arms folded.

She couldn’t have been more surprised when he asked about Fia and apparently had no notion of attempting to seduce her. Her heart slowed with the realization.

He was handsome and arrogant, just like James, but she would not be forced to say a thing. How could she?  She didn’t have a clue who Fia was.

“The lady in Glen Affric?” Niall persisted. “She has kin who married into Eanruig’s line. I did not get the whole story because James and Eanruig had to rush off—”

“Why?”

“His brother, Dougald, is long overdue in arriving here.”

Her mouth dropped, and the notion that his brother might be in trouble made her forget her own woes for the moment. “His brother?  What of the others?”

“They were still at Castle Brecken. But Dougald traveled with Gunnolf, a friend, and both are missing.”

“I…I am sorry.”

“Aye, so about this Fia…”

“I do not know any Fia.”

Niall cast her a small smile. “Somehow, lass, I knew you would say that.” He gave her a nonchalant shrug. “Then I will have to wait until Eanruig returns to hear the whole story.”

“Do you not worry about Dougald and the other?”

“Nay. I fear more for whoever tangles with the two of them.” Niall escorted her to her chamber and bowed his head. “Until later, lass. Although without James around, I imagine you will not become indisposed again.” He smiled. “Lady Catriona will be a terror when she sees you.”

He shut the door on his departure, and as soon as he did, Nesta began talking. “’Tis a shame about Dougald and Gunnolf. I hope His Lairdship finds them in one piece, or there will be another battle waged like the one twenty summers ago when I was but a wee lass. ‘Twas a horrible thing with heavy losses on both…”

Someone knocked on the door.

“…sides. We have been fortunate not to have another one so terrible as that.” Nesta opened the door and curtsied.

Her face flushed, Nighinn walked into the chamber without invitation. Her blue eyes still glittered with menace. Since she was James’s cousin, Eilis didn’t feel she had any right in telling the woman to go away. Yet that’s what she would have done had the circumstances been different.

“Fetch us some mead,” Nighinn ordered Nesta.

Nesta glanced at Eilis, her dark eyes worried, but then she hurriedly obeyed.

When the door closed, Nighinn remained standing, her hands clenched tightly together. “I have learned from the servants that James is keeping you under guard in this chamber. Why, if you are seeking James’s hand, would that be so?”

“Mayhap His Lairdship is concerned I will have unwelcome visitors to my chamber.”

The woman’s lips lifted slightly, but her eyes remained flat. “Mayhap ‘tis because you are his prisoner. ‘Twould be in my best interest to help you leave here. He should not be keeping you against your will.”

Hope skittered through Eilis that she might have a chance to leave this place far behind. But she really didn’t trust James’s cousin. On the other hand, she might not have any better means of escape. Rashly, she said, “I accept.” And prayed she wouldn’t regret her hasty decision.

For the first time since Eilis had met her, Nighinn gave her a full-fledged smile. It wasn’t a pleasant smile, rather one borne of contempt, with a hint of greedy design. “Excellent. Niall is looking for someone to serve as your guard. Come with me to my chamber before Nesta returns. You can change into my riding gown and cloak, and I will have one of my men escort you in whichever direction you wish to take. As long as ‘tis far away from here. Let us no’ tarry any longer.”

Eilis should have been elated to be able to leave without James’s knowledge so why was she having a sliver of a doubt?  Then she reminded herself he wanted Catriona. Nighinn could ensure Catriona wanted James in return. Or not. It was his problem, not Eilis’s.

She had far worse considerations, finding a safe haven before James and his people learned who she truly was and turned her over to her kin.

****

In Nighinn’s guestchamber, Eilis quickly changed out of Jame’s sister’s gown and into the brown woolen traveling kirtle Nighinn had worn. The fabric gaped at her bodice, and the hem of the skirt puddled in folds at her feet. Worse, it smelled of sweat and horse.

Nighinn’s frown deepened. “Ye will have to use the belt to tighten the garment around ye.” She tsked. “I can see James would no’ wish such a bony bride. But do hurry or Niall will discover our…ploy.”

Eilis touched the belt since it belonged to James’s sister. She didn’t wish to take anything with her, just as she didn’t want to take the lady’s clothes. But Nighinn’s gown would fall off if she didn’t secure it with the belt.

Nighinn fingered a brown woolen cloak. “It pains me to have to give away my favorite traveling clothes. Although I…have no choice.” She shoved it at Eilis. “Hurry, put it on.” She motioned to her maid. “Tell Cyn to gather two more men and ready four horses. Have him speak with me at once.”

“Aye, my lady.” The maid rushed out of the chamber.

Nighinn wrung her hands.

Her own stomach fluttering with anxiety, Eilis went to the window and peered out at the inner bailey below. Niall would surely stop her before she even left the keep.

“Come on.” Nighinn strode for the door. “We will meet my men at the stable.” She jerked her head around. “Wear the cloak and hide your face, for heaven’s sake.”

After they left the chamber, she led Eilis down a set of back stairs. Despite her rounded figure, Nighinn stalked through the keep at a rapid pace, her focus straight ahead.

Servants glanced in their direction, and Eilis feared someone would warn Niall she was about to escape. No one made a move to stop them, apparently not recognizing her, thank the heavens. Before long, Nighinn and Eilis were beyond the keep.

Dark clouds covered the sky, and the air was laden with moisture. Wind whipped about linens hanging to dry.

“You might get a rain,” Nighinn warned, her words pleased. “Cyn, you will take the lady to…” Nighinn paused, when a couple of stable boys milled about within earshot. The rest of the conversation she spoke low so that even Eilis could not hear her words.

What if James’s cousin wished her men to murder Eilis, not just remove her from the castle? She was about to change her mind when Cyn glanced at her then looked back at Nighinn and gave a sharp nod.

Before Eilis could react, Cyn whipped around, grasped her by the waist, and lifted her onto a saddle. Nighinn turned and scurried back into the keep without a backward glance.

“Come,” Cyn gruffly ordered. “Away with us at once.”

Mounted, they trotted out of the bailey. The hood of Nighinn’s cloak sufficiently hid Eilis’s face as she rode between the other two men in the escort while Cyn led the way. Were the men posted on the wall walk watching their progress? Would someone stop them?

“Hold, mon!” a gruff male voice snapped, motioning to Cyn.

A tremble slivered down Eilis’s spine.

“Lady Nighinn wishes a ride,” Cyn said. “Let us pass.”

Eilis kept her lashes lowered and avoided looking at the men who had stopped them.

“Ride not far from here as Dunbarton’s men are wreaking havoc at the MacNeill borders.”

“Aye, only a short ride.” Cyn again drove his horse forth, the rest of her escort and Eilis cantering to catch up. Eilis wasn’t sure if she should be relieved she’d made it this far or more concerned.