Highland Harmony: Avelina and Drew (Clan Grant Series Book 8) (17 page)

Chapter Eighteen

Lachlan Burnes didn’t move a muscle as he stood in the middle of his great hall. His parents, Hogan and Effie, were both ranting and raving at him in front of most of the clan as they paced the dais. Aye, he was once again being ridiculed in front of peons who should be kissing his feet. Aye, he was of noble blood, not them. He would be laird someday, not them. So how dare they sit and stare at him as if he were worthless?

Because his own parents had just told them so.

“Fool!” his mother yelled. “You are a lazy, daft fool! You lost the sapphire sword and you cannot find it? We could have been protected for life if not for your foolishness. Och, what am I to do with you?”

He mumbled, “Just remember, ‘tis I that found the sapphire sword. You knew naught of it. ‘Twas my abilities that found it.” Unfortunately, his parents were so loud that no one heard a word he said. They never did. Never…ever. His hands clenched at his sides, wanting to rid himself of their cruel words so much, yet he had no idea how to stop them.

His father filled in any gaps in her rant with ranting of his own. “Your fault, wife. You coddled the lad when he was young. I told you your coddling would cause him to be weak. Now look at him!” His father’s arm swung in his direction, then settled on his hip. “He’s daft. He has not moved since the meal began.”

Lachlan
couldn’t
move. He wanted to kill them. Nay, killing would not be enough. He wanted them to suffer like they were making him suffer.

“Get out!” his mother screamed, loud enough to shake the timbers above.

For some reason, this particular comment registered with him, pulling him out of his vengeful thoughts.

Mothers were supposed to love their children, were they not? Well, Lachlan’s mother had never loved him.

She pointed her finger at him, coming closer. “Get out, I said. You’ve lost the sword and placed a curse on all of us. You’ve had a fortnight to find it, and you have not.”

“Effie, have some consideration for him. He is our only son, and if you give him time, he’ll find the sword and return it. If you send him out, he’ll not even bother to look for it. ‘Tis our chance to be blessed as well. Suppose he finds it again, the gift will not be ours if you send him out.” His father turned to face him and added, “Your mother hates you for what you’ve done to us, lad.”

“Aye, Hogan. You have the right of it, except I don’t hate him. He’s had his chance to make amends. And what has he done? Naught! My stomach flips over at the sight of him for fear of the fae. Get him gone before the curse settles on us. He found the sword and then lost it, so the curse should be on him, not the entire clan. ‘Tis all his fault and the faeries know it. Be gone before you cast your spell upon all of us.” She waved her hand as if it were that easy to rid herself of her son.

Lachlan hung his head, unsure of what to do. Where would he go? He had met a few unsavory sorts after the Cameron skirmishes, but many had been English. Still, some had been Scots who hungered for coin. They spent their time stealing and raping. Mayhap he would join them.

“Get your things and get out!” his mother bellowed, startling him out of his daydreaming. “Please leave before you bring the wrath of the entire faerie world down upon us.”

There were many voices shouting to him, he realized, begging to be heard above his parents. His clan. They were all yelling at him, raising their fists at him. What were they going on about? Ah, the sword, the wonderful sapphire sword. He had been protected when he held it, but now it was gone.

“Leave, Lachlan,” his mother barked. “Do the right thing. Take yourself away and never return. ‘Tis our only chance to prevent the prophecy from coming to fruition.” His mother’s loud voice riled up the rest of the clan.

“Aye, ‘tis the only thing that will save us,” one person shouted.

“You must leave,” another added. “And stay away forever!”

Now out of their seats, they all turned to face him, chanting, “Leave, Lachlan. Leave, Lachlan. Leave, Lachlan.”

His hands reached up and held his head, the only thing he could do to stop the pounding that shook his very insides.

Lachlan whirled around to find his parents standing directly behind him. His sire’s face crumpled. “I hate to do it, lad, but you must leave to save all of us. Forgive me, but I must join the others in asking you to go.”

His mother sneered at him. “I told you that you were a halfwit.” She joined the others in their chant, all of them scorning him. “Leave, Lachlan, leave.”

Lachlan did the only thing he could.

He took his sword off his back and plunged it into his mother’s black heart.

When her eyes caught his, he sneered and winked at the fear and surprise he saw.

His father whispered, “Thank the saints above. God be with you son, but go. They’ll tear you limb from limb. Now go.”

Lachlan stared at his father, nodded, then turned and ran out the door.

A plan twisted its way into his heart as he rushed to the edge of his land. He had buried a bag of necessities there, along with all of the coin he had stolen from his da over the years. Part of him had always feared this day would come.

He shook the heavy weight of the bag in his hand, smiling. This was exactly what he needed. He had coin enough to buy all the reivers he needed. Now he had one mission, and one only.

He would find that sapphire sword.

And then he would kill the person who had stolen it from him.

Chapter Nineteen

I love you
.

Those three words had echoed in Lina’s mind ever since Drew had uttered them. Though she worried she might have heard him wrong, she knew in her heart that she was not mistaken.

She loved Drew Menzie. But he was still unsure if he wanted to marry, so her heart was lost, or so it seemed at the moment.

Seated at the hearth in the great hall, she placed a stitch in the garment she was about to finish for Jennie’s bairn.
“You must be patient, my dear.”
Was that not what Erena had told her?

But how much longer did she need to wait? At this moment, she wished to tear every hair out of her head.

Jennie glanced at her over her needlework. “At least you know he has fallen in love with you. ‘Tis a huge step for Drew Menzie. In my mind, ‘tis a step forward and he will never turn back. We just need to convince him to marry.”

Lina sighed. “I know not how to do such a thing.”

Jennie bit her lip as she concentrated on her fine stitches. “I must speak to Aedan. He is the closest to Drew. Mayhap he can convince him ‘tis time to settle down. And for the good of all, it must be soon.” Jennie lifted her gaze to peer at Lina, but then dropped it back to her work. “I wish there was something I could do.”

The door burst open and Aedan moved over to them, a messenger behind him. Lina did not like the look on Aedan’s face. He sat down by Jennie’s side, taking her needlework from her and setting it on the nearby chest.

Jennie stared at her husband. “What is it?”

Aedan cleared his throat but did not speak. Lina had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something had happened. Something was not right.

She held her breath as she waited for the messenger’s information to be brought to light. Aedan nodded to the messenger, who reached inside his sporran and pulled out the letter, which he handed to Jennie.

Jennie’s nimble fingers shook as she took the parchment, her gaze catching Lina’s as she unfolded the message.

Jennie,

We’re sorry to have to tell you that your sister Brenna has lost the babe she carried.

Jennie’s hand flew to her mouth at the same exact moment that Lina gasped, dropping the garment she labored over onto the floor. Her gaze returned to the parchment in Jennie’s hand.

Brenna is fine, as are all her bairns, but she has asked for you, so we would like to request that you return home for the blessing of the bairn by Father Rab. If Aedan cannot free anyone to escort you, we will come for you. She would also like Avelina to return so we can have some time with all the family present. Quade is sending the same message to Micheil and Diana. We have not decided about the rest of the Grant clan. Please advise the messenger of your need for escorts.

We wish many blessings on you and Aedan, as well as Avelina.

Logan Ramsay

Aedan took the parchment and set it on the chest, then wrapped his arms around his wife. “I’m so sorry, Jennie. I would be happy to escort you both back to Ramsay land. When would you prefer to leave?”

Jennie fought to keep her tears at bay. “On the morrow? Would we be able to leave by then? I would like to be by her side soon.”

“Aye, I’ll see to it. But I don’t want to leave you right now. I’ll send the messenger to the kitchens for nourishment, and he’ll send Neil to me later.”

“I’m fine. Do what you must, Aedan. I would rather you settle things so we are prepared to leave on the morrow. Please? Lina and I will comfort each other.”

Aedan kissed her brow and asked, “Are you sure? If so, I’ll leave you now and make arrangements. I need to choose the guards and…”

“Aye, go, Aedan. Lina and I will go pack our things.”

“I love you. If you need me, please just send someone for me.” Aedan took his leave and led the messenger to the kitchens for some food.

Jennie got up, straightened their needlework for the bairn, and then took Lina’s and led her up the stairs. Lina tried to think of something to say, but naught came out. The only thought that came to her mind, she kept to herself.

But once they were inside Jennie’s chamber, she could keep quiet about it no longer.

“’Tis all my fault.” Tears welled in her eyes, so she closed them in the hopes to squeeze them away.

Jennie looked at her, aghast. “What is this nonsense? How could it possibly be your fault?”

“Because of the sapphire sword. I am running out of time to find a husband, so the tragedy that is to befall my family has already begun.”

For a long moment, the two stood in the middle of the chamber staring at each other. Then Jennie shook her head. “Nay, Lina. You’re wrong.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because the faerie told you that you have two moons. It has not been two moons yet, so this could not have happened because of you.”

“But I am no closer to being married.” The tears she had forced back finally slid down her cheeks. “This could be the first of many tragedies to befall my family. Oh, saints above, what am I to do?”

“Lina, I refuse to believe such nonsense. Women lose bairns frequently. It happened to my own mother a couple of times. Aren’t there some at the Ramsay castle who have lost bairns?”

“Aye, but…”

“But what? ‘Tis not an uncommon loss.”

“But the fae…sometimes one hears tales of the fae and bairns. I’ve heard about babes being taken and replaced with changelings.”

“My mother never believed in those stories, nor did Brenna. We’ve heard talk from the old wizened ones about the fae, but nothing of the like has ever happened at our keep. Do you not recall that Erena asked you to place your trust in her? This does not sound like something Erena or the fae would do. Nay, I refuse to hear you blame yourself, and I do not want to hear another word about it, Avelina Ramsay. You have naught to do with my sister losing her bairn.”

“I hope you’re right, Jennie. But you have no proof.”

“Neither do you.”

Lina had to admit that Jennie was right about that. She had no proof, and Erena had urged her to believe in herself and the fae.

But what if the curse really was starting to unfold? Lina had an important decision to make, and she had to do so quickly. She would not allow the legend to do any further harm to her family.

She would do what was necessary to protect them.

***

Drew paced as Aedan and Neil made arrangements for the trip to Ramsay land. Though he had tried to leave earlier, Aedan had stopped him, insisting he needed to speak to him.

As soon as Neil left, Aedan led Drew down a path to a private area to speak. Drew didn’t know what it was about, but he respected his friend, and he wasn’t going back home for a while, so he needed to establish himself here for a short time until he decided his next step. He had brought Boyd with him, and needed to find a place for him, as well. Not that either of them minded sleeping under the stars at this time of year, but winter would descend before too long.

After looking around, mayhap to ensure they were, indeed, alone, Aedan spun around and punched him in the jaw with such a force that he fell to the ground.

“God’s teeth, Cameron. What’d I do?”

“I saw you leave Lina’s room last night. Now, I’d be calling a priest right now, but I have to take my wife to see her sister. I thought I’d advise you to be ready to marry Lina when I return. Fortunately for you, now is not the best time for a wedding, else I would force you today.”

“Aedan, ‘tis not what you think.”

“Are you denying that it was you leaving her chamber last night? If you hadn’t been leaving, I would have beaten your arse then and there, but I do not like to disturb my wife’s sleep. She has enough trouble sleeping.”

Drew stood up, rubbing his jaw, and leaned against a nearby tree. “Aye, ‘twas me leaving. Not for what you believe. Well, could have been, but I did naught. Well…”

“Hellfire, Menzie, why must you be so honest down to the most minute detail? Stop mumbling and tell me true. Did you take her maidenhead? Is there to be a wedding?”

“Nay, I did not.” He held his hands up to his friend, then let his breath out through pursed lips. “I almost did, but I stopped. I still am not certain if I wish to marry, so I knew it was wrong.”

“Saints be praised for that wee bit of enlightenment. I thought at first I heard screaming, so imagine my surprise when I saw you leaving.”

“Lina was screaming. ‘Twas why I came to her chamber. I was sleeping on a pallet in the hall, and I could hear her over the balcony. She screamed and screamed and did not stop until I awakened her. We talked for a time, but then one thing led to another, and…aye, I stopped in time.” He ran his hand down his face in frustration.

“Why was she screaming?”

“Because she had another dream about the lad tied to the bed.”

“Did she find out who it was? Did you help her locate the laddie?”

“Nay.”

“Why not?”

Drew stared at the leaves on the tree overhead and paced in a circle. Word would probably get around after what he’d done at his keep. And he did need Cameron’s support, depending on what he’d decide to do with his life, but ‘twould be embarrassing. Awfully embarrassing. He ripped a piece of bark off the tree, then turned to face his friend. “The laddie in the bed was me.”

“What? You? Saints above, how could it be you? You’re not a laddie.”

“Nay, but it happened when I was a laddie. ‘Twas me, trust me. She recognized me.”

Aedan crossed his arms in front of him. “Your sire tied you to a bed?” He scratched his head as he considered it. “But why?”

Drew refused to look his friend in the eye because he was simply too embarrassed. “Because my mother was afraid she’d lose me, too. The loss of my three brothers drove her daft. She asked Da to tie me to the bed to keep me from doing anything dangerous.”

“God’s teeth, Menzie. How could you deal with it? ‘Twould drive a person to madness.”

“I felt mad, many, many times.” He breathed in deep and let the air out slowly through pursed lips.

“It happened more than once?”

Drew was surprised to see the shock on his friend’s face, but somehow, it made him feel a wee bit better. “Aye, it started when I was about five summers. I was too busy, and they counted on James to watch me, but once he was gone, they could not find anyone else to keep up with me. After I got into trouble a few times, my father had a special bed made.” He turned his gaze away from his friend.

“Special bed?”

“Aye, to tie my hands out away from my body. They were so afraid I’d find a way to get out.”

“And Lina saw all this in her dream?”

“Aye, enough to know ‘twas me. Not at first, but she recognized me last night.”

“How in hell do you ever go home, Menzie?”

“I’ll not go home again for a while. I need some time away. I intended to speak with you about that.”

“All right. I’m listening.”

“I would like to stay here if we could come to an arrangement. I left after I chopped up the bed and the lock on the door. I told my parents I would not return for a while, but I have nowhere to go, and was hoping you’d allow Boyd and me to stay on as part of your guard.”

Aedan rubbed his chin. “Menzie, I do not know what to say. Of course, you can stay. Boyd can be in my guard, but not you. Mayhap as an advisor with Neil. Mayhap you can help train my guard. You know it has been my goal to make my men stronger. They like you, and you have great ideas.”

“I’d appreciate it, Aedan.”

Silence settled between the two, both staring off into the distance.

“Menzie, why not marry Lina? I truly believe you would suit.”

Drew ran his hand through his hair. “Because I do not think I could.”

“Why not?”

Drew grabbed another piece of bark from the tree and tore it apart, tossing the pieces aside. “What if I am like my sire? I could not bear it…”

“Drew, you are naught like him. I think because of what happened to you, you would probably be wonderful with your bairns. You’ll want your bairns to have a better life than you did.”

Drew nodded. “I have thought of that, actually. And I must say that Lina is the first lass to make me
want
to marry. I’ve been set against it for so long. ‘Tis hard to see it.”

“Lina is a calm and patient lass. I think you would do well together. She’s a beauty, too.”

Drew rolled his eyes. “Aye, ‘struth. She almost pushed me over the edge last night. But I could not do it. My honor would require I marry her, and I’m just not sure yet.”

Aedan grasped his shoulder. “Think on it. You could live here with Lina and train my guard. Would make my wife more than happy to have Lina close by. Give it consideration while we’re gone?”

“Aye, I will. My thanks, Cameron. I’ll start working with your men on the morrow.”

“Good. Keep them busy while Neil and I are gone. As I said, we’re leaving for the Ramsays with at least a score guards, though I know not how long we’ll be. Keep things under control here. Neil rides with me until we’re on Ramsay land, then he’ll be returning to protect our land.”