The Accidental Highland Hero (23 page)

He carried her to the tower stairs. “If you weary too much, Eilis, you must let me know.”

One of his soldiers greeted them halfway to the parapet. Others gathered nearby, openly smiling or hiding their amusement to an extent. “You have work to do, lads.”

“Aye, Laird.”

The men promptly obliged, but their smiles didn’t fade.

Over the stone wall, Eilis observed towering crags like pale blue mist penetrating the clear sky on the horizon. A long-tailed swallow swooped nearby. Did Eilis wish she could fly away free?  He imagined so and attempted to quell the irritation that thought brought to mind.

“I do not even remember the ship I was on. How can I remember some things and not others?”

She didn’t seem distraught over the missing memories, only drained.

Running the back of his hand over her silky cheek, he knew instantly he treaded dark waters. She stirred in him the desire to have a wife by choice instead of by duty to his clan, the first time any woman had encouraged the feeling. Pulling his hand away as if she had burned him, he attempted to get his feelings under control. “Do you remember Fia?”

She shook her head and again seemed to be telling the truth.

He took a heavy breath. “Mayhap the lady will help bring back your memories.”

“I fear that bringing her here will alert my family,” Eilis said in a small voice.

But he could not believe she would know such a thing if she remembered not who her family was. He thought it was just her vivid imagination from her memories not returning. Yet, a small nagging at the back of his mind warned him to consider she might be right.

Chapter Twelve

The next day, James paced across the great hall, ready to do battle with Dunbarton. He glowered at Ian. “Say again what the brigand told you.”

His cheeks as red as a fiery sunset, Ian clenched his fists until they were white. “Aye, my laird. Dunbarton was well into his cups. Mayhap that was some of the trouble. But he said he found a couple of wild animals in a cave, no brother of yours. If he discovers Dougald and Gunnolf, he will give them a well-appointed chamber abovestairs, the finest meats and mead, and song to please them. If he finds them. And then ye can do business with him.”

James ground his teeth. “The bastard.”

“Aye. If his men had not removed my sword before I had audience with Dunbarton, I would have run him through.”

James slapped Ian on the shoulder. “Nay, we need you. What would I do without you fighting my battles for me?”

Ian gave a slight smile then scowled again. “I wanted to bring Dougald and Gunnolf out of the dungeon and show Dunbarton that we knew they were there all along.”

 “Aye, me and you both. We will have to take care of this in another way.”

“I will be happy to assist in any way, my laird.”

“Aye.”

Ian bowed and took his leave.

How could Dunbarton not accept James’s charitable ransom offer for his brother and Gunnolf?  ‘Twas a travesty his brother and their friend should have to suffer so.

But as much as James would like to take up arms against Dunbarton, storming the castle would only bring death to many of James’s kinsmen. And they would still not be able to breach the stone walls. Laying siege and starving Dunbarton’s people would take too long.

Niall hurried into the hall. “I hear Dunbarton refuses to name a suitable ransom.”

“Aye, but mayhap we could play his own game.”

“Take one of his people hostage?  But who?”

“I have heard it rumored his bastard son, Keary, has returned. Mayhap we could give him a room at Craigly, if we could capture him.”

Then James caught sight of Eilis as she entered the hall with Fergus in tow, her step steady. The woman was uncommonly bonny, and the more he saw of her, the more he…

He cursed softly. The woman was like a breath of a summer breeze, fresh and silky soft, warming him to the deepest part of his soul. Every time he saw her, he was reminded of the way she reacted to his kisses—sweet and innocent, yet a tigress lurked within. She wanted more, and he sure wanted to oblige.

He tried to imagine Catriona that way, but she…  Well, what was she truly like?

Not sweet and innocent, that was for certain. And as for being a tigress, she was more like a cat, prickly sometimes, friendly when she wanted to be.

He watched Eilis walking aimlessly, stretching her legs, but with no real objective. Until she spied Lady Allison and headed straight for her with purpose in her stride. He narrowed his eyes. What was it about the two women and the reaction they had to one another?

Fergus was about to stalk after Eilis but caught James’s eye. James motioned for him to hold back. Let the women speak their mind. With his arms crossed over his chest, James would observe and hope to glean something from their interaction. Knowing Niall’s nature, he was just as curious, although James hoped Eilis wouldn’t notice them both watching her.

As soon as Eilis caught sight of Lady Allison alone, she hurried to speak to her, effectively leaving Fergus behind. At least she didn’t hear his heavy footsteps, and she wasn’t about to look back and catch his attention. She was certain her expression would appear as guilty as she felt.

Although she knew he’d soon realize his mistake and catch up to her.

But she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. In the instant she’d seen Allison here, she recalled where she knew the lady from. Joining the lady, Eilis smiled broadly. “Lady Allison, I remember now where I have seen you before. You served Lady Anice of Brecken Castle, aye?”

The woman’s eyes rounded, and she looked most stricken.

“’Tis true then,” Eilis excitedly said. “You remember me?  I cannot recall how we met, but it seems there was some trouble and…”  Eilis looked down at the floor, trying to piece the memories back together, but no matter how hard she strained to remember, they eluded her. Except for one. She looked back up at the lady. “Your name was Amber. Why did you change your name?”

Allison took Eilis’s hands in hers and begged, “Tell no one, Lady Eilis. ‘Tis true, but…”  She shook her head, tears building in her eyes.

“Why?  What have you to fear?”  When Allison would not reveal the reason for her distress, Eilis continued. “Did you free Dougald and Gunnolf from Dunbarton’s stronghold?”

“We must not speak of this here,” Allison said, her voice hushed as she glanced around the keep.

“Allison, how did you get into Dunbarton’s castle?”

“My brother is—”

As he must have realized he had lost Eilis, Fergus stalked across the keep in her direction, and Allison pulled away.

“Wait!  You must tell me. How can we free Dougald and his companion?”

“Nay!  ‘Tis no’ possible. They would suspect me if I tried the same ruse again.”

“Another plan?  What else can we—”

 Allison glanced at Fergus as he grew closer. “None other, my lady. ‘Tis the way of things. I must go.” She whipped around and headed out of the hall.

Her heart in her throat, Eilis wanted to speak with Allison further, to learn of her ties to Dunbarton and to James’s people, and why she knew her as Amber at Lady Anice’s castle. What trouble had they encountered that Eilis…well, she could not recall. Only that there had been trouble and both she and Amber had been in the midst of it.

Fergus folded his arms and planted himself next to Eilis, his gaze focused on Allison’s retreating backside. Och, would he tell James of the talk Eilis had with Allison?  Of the woman’s strange actions?

“Where do you wish to go now?” he asked Eilis.

She straightened her back and peered up at the veritable giant, giving her best scowl. He seemed only slightly amused. “To the village. I have need of cloth and thread.” It was high time she made a gown for herself and returned James’s sister’s garments.

Fergus raised his brows. “I will have someone fetch them for you.”

“Nay,” she snapped. ‘Twould be her gown and she had intended to make her own choice. “I must see the fabric myself. Ask Laird James if he will permit me to visit the village—well, with a suitable escort, of course.”

“What is it you wish of me, my lady?” James asked, joining her from behind.

She turned to face him, her heart skipping beats. “I wish to make a gown of my own. If you would but permit me to go to the village and choose the fabric.”

James offered a small frown then bowed his head. “I will escort you.”

She sighed. She’d hoped Allison could accompany her and she’d be able to learn more about the woman. But not if James stayed by her side.

“Naught would please me more.” She hoped her smile looked genuine.

He studied her for a moment. “When would you wish to…”

“Now…if it pleases you, my laird. I wish to begin working on my gown at once.”

“Aye.” Without taking his eyes off her, James gave the orders. “Fergus, gather a suitable escort. Ask Lady Akira if she would care to join us.”

“Aye, my laird.” Fergus hurried off.

James swept his hand down Eilis’s arm. “You are welcome to wear my sister’s gowns.”

“I…I thank you for your kindness, but I wish to have a gown to call my own.”

“They are yours for as long as you wish them, Eilis.” James’s expression changed subtly from sympathetic to concerned. But he didn’t say what bothered him about her request, and she was afraid to ask.

Lady Akira hurried down the stairs to join them with three of her ladies trailing behind. Although she smiled at James, when she acknowledged Eilis, she wore the same worried expression.

“I have not been to the village in a fortnight. Tavia wishes to see a villager who has just given birth. And the rest of us will accompany Eilis to the fabric stalls,” Lady Akira said.

James bowed his head to his mother. “Aye, with me as escort.”

“Of course, my laird.” His mother patted his arm. “As it should be.”

Did they think Eilis planned to escape on the outing?  She knew there was no chance of that. And for once, she had no plans in that regard.

After the horses were readied and the party mounted, they headed out of the bailey while Fergus and a couple of men led the force and several more followed behind. James drew his horse closer to Eilis’s as the rest of the ladies rode behind them. “Do you recall anything more about your past, Eilis?”

She lowered her lashes. “Nay.”

He nodded but didn’t believe her. “Naught more about Lady Allison?”

Eilis glanced at him, the fear in her eyes evident. He knew she remembered more. And he assumed Allison was just as worried about Eilis’s recollections.

“I…I met her once at Lady Anice’s Brecken Castle. But I remember naught more than that.” Eilis watched his response.

Did she worry he would believe her?

“I see. I did not know she had been there.”

Eilis looked straight ahead. “I do not recall anything more.”

“She seemed most anxious.” James waited for Eilis’s reaction before he spoke further.

Eilis twisted her mouth. “Did she?”