Highland Angels (Fated Hearts Book 3) (4 page)

“That’s not so hard now, is it?” The woman’s voice was gentle again. “Have a bit more.”

Anna didn’t have the energy to fight so she swallowed the warm liquid a little at a time. When the woman was satisfied that she had had enough, she lowered Anna back onto the pillows. The tears welled in her eyes and she couldn’t keep them from spilling down her cheeks.

“Oh, little lamb,” the old woman crooned as she brushed the tears away. “Don’t cry. Ye’ll be all right.”

Anna clenched her eyes shut and turned her head away from the woman’s touch. She wanted to tell Isla that she knew very well she wouldn’t be “all right” but she just didn’t have the strength.

~ * ~

The lass’s fever had raged for over three days before breaking but even then, things didn’t get much better. Two days later, after the evening meal, Andrew and Dougal spoke with an anxious Isla outside of Eve’s room. “After the fever broke, I was optimistic that she would recover, but she fights me at every turn. I try to get her to take some broth every time she wakes but I have to force her to drink it. And then when I’ve managed to get some into her, the lamb turns her head and cries. It tears at my heart to see her so frail and frightened, but nothing I say seems to console her.”

“I suppose that’s understandable after the way we treated her,” admitted Laird MacLeod. “Is there anything else ye can do?”

“I just need to keep trying. She’s not getting any worse and in truth she may be marginally stronger.”

“Isla, ye can’t keep this up around the clock. Ye look ready to drop under the strain yerself,” observed Dougal.

“I won’t leave her, Laird. She saved Davy and she isn’t nearly out of the woods.”

“But ye need to rest, Isla,” said Andrew. “We can have a pallet put in there for ye and have others sit with her while ye sleep.”

“Nay. I don’t want just anyone with her. It takes a firm hand to get her to drink every time she wakes. Otherwise she just closes her eyes and turns her head.”

“Then I’ll sit with her tonight,” offered Andrew.

Exhausted, Isla conceded and Andrew watched over his son’s “angel” while Isla lay sleeping on her pallet.

As he watched the lass sleeping he thought again of his wife. Joan was a Sinclair and their fathers arranged their marriage to put an end to a feud the Sinclairs had started years ago. Nevertheless, it was a good marriage and Andrew grew to love her. She was tall and slender with dark chestnut hair, rosy cheeks and blue eyes that sparkled when she laughed. David was her miniature in every way, so much so that it hurt to look at him.

Davy’s angel, lying motionless in the bed, did not remotely resemble his Joan. She was a wisp of a lass and her red hair glinted like copper in the firelight. A smattering of freckles stood out in relief on her unnaturally pale skin, and the only thing he had ever seen reflected in her green eyes was abject terror.

Almost as if she heard his thoughts, her eyes fluttered open and he saw her fear yet again.

“I’m still in hell,” she whispered and turned her head away, closing her eyes.

“Nay, ye’re in Curacridhe.”

“Same thing.”

“Not even close.” He chuckled. “Now, lass, Isla wants ye to drink this broth and she’s asleep at the moment, so I’ll help ye.”

Andrew started to slide his arm under her shoulders but she feebly tried to pull away from him. “Don’t touch me!”

He arched a brow at her. “Bossy bit of goods, aren’t ye to be such a wee thing? I can help ye up or ye can sit up on yer own, but either way, ye’ll drink this broth.”

“Why are ye doing this?” She blinked as if she was holding back tears.

“I want ye to get better.”

“So yer father can kill me? Has he decided whether it will be fast or slow yet?” Even though her question was bold, several tears slipped down her cheeks.

Andrew shook his head. He had forgotten that threat and now it made his heart ache. He brushed away her tears. “No one’s going to kill ye, Eve.”

“But the only good MacKay is a dead Mackay.” She bitterly echoed more of his father’s harsh words.

“We made a terrible mistake, lass, and I am sorry. I know no one abducted my son and that ye risked yer own life to save his. Please, let me help ye now.”

“Even if the MacLeod won’t kill me, the MacKay might,” she muttered. “Just leave me be.”

Andrew frowned, “Nay, lass, I won’t let the MacKay kill ye either. Now, ye need to drink this.” He lifted her to a sitting position before putting the cup to her lips. She had no choice but to swallow the broth that he tipped into her mouth.

~ * ~

Anna was tired of having no control over even the smallest detail of her life and she was particularly tired of bending to the will of these MacLeods. She realized the only way out of this was to get her strength back so that she could return to Naomh-dùn and face her angry brother. She stopped fighting Isla and did what the old healer told her to do, which was mostly eat and sleep.

Anna had never slept so much in her life. She completely lost track of the days, but as she began to feel stronger, her thoughts turned to what she needed to do to get away. As long as they thought she was just an unimportant MacKay clanswoman, maybe they would simply let her leave. She didn’t even know how long she had been gone.

While Isla helped bathe her one day Anna asked, “How long have I been here? What day is it?”

“Ye have been here over a sennight lass. ‘Tis the third Friday of Lent, the last day of February.”

“I didn’t realize it’d been so long.” What must her family think happened to her?

“Ye had a fever for well over three days and then ye slept the biggest part of four more.”

“I want to go home now.”

“Aye lass, I’m sure ye do, but ye’ve been gravely ill. Ye need to rest here a few more days.”

“I can rest at home.”

Isla leveled a stare at her. “Eve, ye aren’t leaving this room, much less this keep, until I am sure ye’re well enough.” At Anna’s crushed expression Isla added, “Everything will be all right, lamb. Ye’ll be right as nails soon.”

Now that Anna was on her way to recovery, Isla left her for short periods, but more often than not, some other MacLeod stayed with her. The laird and both of his sons visited frequently. Anna knew she was a coward, but she feigned sleep anytime they appeared. She hated the MacLeods and, if she was truly honest with herself, she feared them.

However, one visitor that Anna enjoyed was Mairi, the laird’s youngest child. A blond-haired, blue-eyed, charming lass of four and ten, Mairi was cheerful and entertaining. On her very first visit, she rushed into the room, kissed Anna on both cheeks and declared her lifelong gratitude for saving Davy. Anna had trouble hating this MacLeod.

As it turned out there was another MacLeod she also had trouble hating. Late in the afternoon, the same day on which she had met Mairi, the rosy-cheeked, dark-haired little lad she’d pulled from the loch, tiptoed into her room.

Awestruck, his eyes were as big as saucers. “Ye’re the angel. Ye saved me.”

“Ye must be David,” Anna said gently.

“Aye. Can I see yer wings?”

“Ye can come here and sit with me, lad, but I’m sorry, I don’t have wings.”

He climbed up on the bed beside her. “But ye’re my angel.”

“I’m not an angel, sweetling.”

“But ye must be, ye came from nowhere and saved me.”

“Well not exactly, I saw ye from the bluff.” He looked disappointed so she added, “I think sometimes God makes sure people are where they need to be to help, when angels can’t be there.”

“So God put ye there instead of an angel?”

“Something like that.”

“And ye saved me?”

“I pulled ye out of the loch, aye.”

He leaned forward and put his arms around her, laying his head on her chest. She returned the embrace and stroked his hair. David whispered, “I was scared and so cold.”

“I was too.”

“I wasn’t scared anymore when I saw ye.”

“I’m glad. I don’t like feeling scared either.”

“I’m sorry ye got sick.”

“I’ll be all right, sweetling.”

“Can I stay here with ye for a while?”

“If ye wish.”

David snuggled against her and closed his eyes. His breathing grew deep and regular as he fell asleep in her arms. While holding him she realized that regardless of the price she now paid for her actions, this little life was worth it. She smiled wryly to herself, thinking her family would probably be appalled if they knew she was cuddling Laird MacLeod's grandson while the lad napped.

~ * ~

Several hours later, when everyone was in a panic because they couldn’t locate David yet again, Andrew found his son held securely in his angel’s arms, both of them sound asleep.

Eve woke as Andrew lifted the sleeping child away from her.

“I hope he didn’t bother ye,” he said softly.

“Nay, he’s sweet.”

David rubbed his eyes, rousing from his nap. “She isn’t exactly an angel, Da.”

Andrew grinned. “Nay?”

“Nay. She doesn’t have wings, but maybe God put her there instead of an angel.”

“I’m sure that’s true, Davy.”

“Still, that’s kind of like an angel.”

“Aye, that’s a lot like an angel.” He held her gaze for a moment before she looked away. “We should let yer angel rest now, son.”

It was impossible to avoid Laird MacLeod forever. By Anna’s tenth day at the MacLeod stronghold, Isla began to get her out of bed for longer periods. That afternoon, while Anna sat in a chair by the hearth, the laird came to see her.

“Eve, I am so glad ye’re awake and feeling better.”

Afraid, Anna looked at her white knuckles as she clenched her hands in her lap. “Thank ye, Laird.”

Dougal sighed. “Yer fear scalds me, lass, but I know I deserve it. I’m sorry for the way we treated ye when ye arrived.”

“I understand, Laird.” She still avoided looking at him.

“Is there anything I can get ye?”

“Nay, Laird. Thank ye.”

“There’s nothing ye need?”

There certainly was something she needed. She looked up at him, “I need to go home.”

“Ah, little dove, that is the one thing I cannot grant ye. Ye can’t go home yet. I need to know that ye’re well and that ye’ll be safe there.”

“Of course I’ll be safe there, it’s my home.”

“Eve, ye’ve been living with yer clan’s enemy for well over a sennight. Ye’ll be here for a bit longer, at least until ye’re fully recovered. With our clans feuding I must know there’ll be no repercussions against ye before I let ye return.”

“There won’t be,” she insisted.

“Ye said yer father was dead. Are ye married?”

“Nay, Laird.”

“To whom do ye belong then? Another family member? Laird MacKay?”

“I have brothers.”
Of course one of them is Laird MacKay
, but Laird MacLeod didn’t need to know that. “Please, Laird, let me go home.”

“Not now. We’ll discuss it later, when ye’re well.”

Frustrated, Anna looked down at her hands again. She didn’t want to discuss it later; she wanted to go home now, but she remained silent. Showing Laird MacLeod disrespect would get her nowhere.

“I know ye don’t understand, Eve, but for now ye’re under my care and I have to do what I think is best for ye.”

Anna didn’t understand. How could Laird MacLeod possibly know what was best for her? What was best for her was to get away from the MacLeods before they found out who she really was.

The next day it was Graham she was unable to avoid.

“Hello, Eve, ye’re looking well.”

“Then tell yer father to let me go home.”

Graham laughed, “Oh, lass, no one tells my father what to do.”

She clenched her jaw and looked away. Graham sobered a bit. “Eve, I’m glad ye’re feeling better, but ye aren’t strong enough to travel yet.”

Andrew walked in just then and added, “Certainly not. Give it some time. Let us take care of ye. We owe ye that.”

“Ye owe me nothing. Just let me go.”

“When Isla is satisfied that ye’ve completely recovered, we will send a message to Laird MacKay to see how ye’ll be received. I’m sorry, lass, but he may not welcome ye back.”

“He will welcome me back. I have to go. Please.”

Andrew looked puzzled. “Why are ye so sure, angel? Ye said to me that he might kill ye.”

“Well I exaggerated. He won’t. He’ll be angry but he won’t hurt me.”

“If ye’re sure he’ll be angry, how can ye be certain ye’ll be safe?” asked Graham.

“Because…”
he’s my brother.
No, she still didn’t think it was wise to reveal her identity. It was one thing to have a simple seamstress from an enemy clan as a captive and something entirely different to have the laird’s sister. “Because, I just know. He’s a good man. He won’t harm me.”

“I’m sorry, angel. Ye aren’t well enough to travel anyway. Once we know more about what ye might face, we’ll decide what’s best.”

She frowned. There it was again. They’ll decide what is best.
They
will. What right did they have to decide what was best for her?
Hold yer tongue Anna
, she cautioned herself. Anna the laird’s beloved sister might challenge Laird MacKay’s authority and live to tell about it, but she suspected that Eve the lowly MacKay seamstress could get herself in a world of trouble in the midst of the MacLeods.

~ * ~

After the evening meal, Laird MacLeod and his sons retired to his solar to discuss clan business. Andrew raised the subject of their MacKay guest.

“Da, have ye decided what to do about Eve?”

“I was hoping she could be convinced to stay on her own. She would have a safe home here forever.”

“But she wants to go home, Da.”

“I know she does, Graham, but she doesn’t understand what could happen, what her clan might think, how they might treat her.”

Andrew nodded. “I agree. Graham, what would ye think if a MacLeod lass were captured by the MacKays and held for weeks?”

Graham sighed. “I would think they had used her and grown tired of her.”

“Aye. Even if we knew she had been held against her will and welcomed her back, her life would change. Many in the clan would never look at her in the same way.”

Graham still seemed unwilling to accept it. “But, Andrew, she’s a MacKay. What kind of life can she have here?”

“She saved my son’s life. The MacLeods will respect her. They already do.”

“I know they respect
her
, but will she ever respect us? Hell will she ever even tolerate us? Whenever possible, she feigns sleep when one of us enters the room. She risked her life to save Davy and we instantly repaid her with abuse and neglect. It was exactly what a MacKay would expect from a MacLeod.”

“And what would likely have happened to a MacLeod lass if the situation were reversed, son?” Dougal asked. “I will regret the way we treated her forever but, if she had helped abduct Davy, I would not have thought twice about it.”

“But that’s my point. Our clan will respect her only because of her selfless act. The enmity between the clans still exists. At the risk of oversimplifying things, ye are asking a lass to live among us when she loves our mortal enemies, and her hatred of us is even more justified now.”

“So my choice is either force her to stay where I can keep her safe but she will be miserable, or let her go home to God knows what?” He paused for a moment. “She can adjust to life with us. I’m inclined to keep her safe.”

“As am I,” agreed Andrew.

“Da, ye have to at least send a message to the MacKay and see what his response will be. Ye know she is not going to just stop asking to go home. It is practically the first thing out of her mouth every time someone enters her chamber. Perhaps if she learns she’ll be going home to misery,
she’ll
make the decision to stay.”

“It would crush her if her clan rejected her,” said Andrew. “Ye heard her defend the MacKay. She firmly believes she’ll be welcomed home. Maybe it’s kinder to spare her that disappointment.”

“She’ll resent us forever if we do. The truth may hurt, but we can deal with that if it happens,” said Graham.

Dougal sighed. “Fine, Graham, I suspect ye are right. I’ll send a messenger to Laird Sutherland tomorrow and ask him to contact the MacKay on our behalf. I’ll make sure Laird Sutherland knows the MacKay’s reaction to this news is more important than whatever message he sends back.”

~ * ~

Eoin read the missive from Laird MacLeod, delivered by the Sutherland messenger. Although relieved at last to learn that his sister lived, his brow furrowed and he said nothing. He dared not give anything away in front of the messenger.

“Is everything all right, Laird?” the messenger asked.

“Nay. One of my clanswomen is being held by the MacLeods.”

“Will there be a reply, Laird?”

“Aye, but I need to speak with her kinsmen before I compose it. Please, rest and refresh yerself, I’ll return soon.” Eoin left the hall, sending servants with instructions to bring his brothers and Marcas to his solar.

While he waited, he considered the contents of the message. It indicated that a seamstress named Eve had wandered into MacLeod territory. This would normally not be tolerated, but she had helped a MacLeod child who was injured. For that reason, after giving the matter some thought for a time, Laird MacLeod would consider returning Eve to her family. However, one of his guardsmen had taken an interest in her, and if her family didn’t want her back, he would see her married as a token of his gratitude.

Like hell
.

There was no MacKay seamstress named Eve and Eoin knew full well that the lass they held was Anna, but it appeared his little sister had prudently kept that secret. His relief was profound. Still he didn’t want to let it show to the messenger. It looked as if he could secure Anna’s release simply by asking for it, but he doubted it would be possible if the MacLeod knew who he actually held. If he showed too much enthusiasm it might lead Dougal MacLeod to suspect Anna’s true identity. Eoin didn’t even want Fiona to know until after the messenger had left, for fear she would not be able to contain her reaction in front of him. When his captain and brothers arrived in his solar he filled them in.

“She lied to Laird MacLeod? Well done, little sister,” said Tasgall.

“Are we sure it’s her?” asked Aidan.

“Aye, it’s Anna,” he said confidently a huge grin splitting his face. “She identified her brother as ‘Sorely’. I don’t know whether to laugh or be insulted.”

The other men laughed heartily at this news because Sorely was the name of Anna’s gelding.

“Do ye believe that the MacLeod is just going to let her go?” asked Marcas.

“I don’t know. The whole story sounds odd to me. She ‘wandered’ into their territory but because she helped a child, MacLeod will let her go?”

“She didn’t wander in,” said Aidan bitterly. “I’ll warrant the bastards saw her alone on the bluff and helped themselves.”

Clearly, that thought worried them all.

“Why the story of the child then?” asked Tasgall.

“I don’t know,” said Eoin honestly. “I’m not sure it matters.”

“How are ye going to respond?” asked Aidan.

“I am going to tell him the truth, that her brother does not wish for her to marry a MacLeod guardsman. I will suggest a meeting at our border under white flags, five days from now. He can return her to us then.”

“Aren’t ye worried he might ambush us? Maybe ye should suggest he escort her to Sutherland and we can get her there,” suggested Tasgall.

“Nay. I agree it’s a risk but Laird Sutherland knows Anna and he has a son in training with the MacLeods. While we aren’t feuding with the Sutherlands, neither are we on particularly good terms.”

“Well, stealing Bram’s betrothed didn’t exactly endear ye to his father,” said Marcas.

“Aye but that tension eased a bit when Bram married his beloved. Still, I can’t trust Laird Sutherland not to reveal her identity to Dougal MacLeod. That would put her in much more danger than she’s already in. Can ye imagine what might happen if the MacLeod finds out that she’s been lying to him?”

“But a direct meeting, Eoin?” asked Marcas. “Even under white flags, I don’t trust the MacLeods not to attack. Perhaps ye could suggest he escort her to Laird MacNicol instead. Ye could send a message telling Alec what’s happened; he won’t reveal Anna’s identity. The MacLeods have no formal ties with the MacNicols.”

“No they don’t and they are on good terms. But given that Fiona is Laird MacNicol’s sister, MacLeod is not likely to go along with that.”

“He may be more likely to agree to it than a direct meeting. It poses less risk to everyone.”

“Ye’re probably right. However, it’ll take more time to arrange and I hate to leave her at the mercy of the MacLeods any longer than necessary. If he refuses a direct meeting, we’ll suggest Laird MacNicol as an intermediary. In the meantime we can send word to Alec and begin making arrangements, should it become necessary.” Eoin smiled and added, “I’ll also send her a little message from Sorely, letting her know her family is overjoyed to learn that she’s safe.”

~ * ~

“He wants a direct meeting under white flags?” asked Andrew incredulously when his father revealed the contents of the message from Laird MacKay. “Does he honestly think we’ll agree to that? It’s not as if our hostage is of any value to him. She’s only a seamstress.”

His father shook his head, dumbfounded. “Aye, we would be daft to agree to that.”

“Is there any indication of how she’ll be received?” asked Graham.

“Not much. The messenger said Laird MacKay was reserved and didn’t seem overly concerned by the news. Still, the MacKay did include a message from her brother Sorely in the response.”

“What was it?” asked Andrew.

Dougal read from the missive, “Sorely has been saddled with grief since her disappearance. Her family is overjoyed to learn that she’s safe.”

“Well, at least it seems as if her family will welcome her back,” said Graham.

Andrew didn’t see this as wholly positive. “I don’t think that matters, Graham. Her family is not the whole clan and we know nothing of the MacKay’s reaction.”

“We’ll have another chance to learn more,” said Dougal. “I’m not going to agree to a direct meeting. I’ll send another message indicating that I might consider escorting her to Laird Sutherland. We’ll see what his reaction to that is.”