Kate Robbins - The Highland Chiefs Series (23 page)

“When can you leave?”

“Today. Get some rest. We’ll leave after the midday meal. I have some things to attend to before I go. Andrew, get everyone fit for travel, and tell Alice to pack a lot of food.”

James and his men returned to their rooms to take advantage of the additional hours to rest. When he returned to the bed chamber, it was with a lighter heart. For the first time in forever he had any hope.

As he had done so often over the past while, he fell to his knees and whispered to his wife. “I’m coming love. Hold on just a little while longer, Aileana. I promise I’ll be there soon.”

They arrived at Chattan Castle and he sought out Gwen straight away. He found her pacing in the great hall, wringing her hands. His reports to her were faithful upon his return from his sometimes lengthy searches.

He was pleased he could refer to her now as Lady Gwendolyn. He’d been in high spirits when he returned from the MacKay trial, wanting only to find Aileana and make preparations for them to go home to start their life together. He would never forget his words to Gwen when he realized Ailea
na was missing from the palace.

They tormented him still.

“You left her in the room with Gawain! Why would you do that? Did you wish her taken again? Maybe you know more than you are letting on! Are you working with him? Did you lead him to her? How else would he know we were here?”

Gwen had bowed her head as he fired accusations at her. Two days later, he returned, eyes burning and weary begging forgiveness for his outburst. Gwen had wanted no apology. She told him he was right and that she should have never left her lady’s side not even for a moment. He would accept nothing less than to make up for his behaviour and complete lack of trust.

Over the past three months and with the king’s assistance, he elevated her status to lady, gave her charge of Chattan Castle in his absence, and provided regular and frequent updates to her on all aspects of his search. He entered the library to find her gazing out toward the back gardens with her back to him. “Lady Gwendolyn, are you well?”

“I am well, my lord. What news have you?”

James smiled. “Good news, hopefully. MacKay and his clansmen have joined in the search and given us information that may prove useful. Tomorrow we make our way to a forested area near the town in which Gawain was raised. Fergus believes he may be holed up in a small dwelling near there.

“I seek you out to ask if you will join us. It has been three months and I have no idea what condition she will be in when we find her.”

Gwen’s eyebrows lifted.

“Aye. I believe we are that close,” he said. “I believe that’s where he has her. It makes the most sense. Will you come with us?”

“Aye my lord, of course I will come with you. Thank you, it means a great deal.”

James smiled again. They’d grown comfortable and dependent on one another in Aileana’s absence and he’d developed a sisterly regard toward her.

“My brother is here. As is Fergus Mackay and some of his men, I thought you’d want to know.”

He gave her a sympathetic smile. His brother had feelings for her and when they were together they both appeared strained. He watched Gwen square her shoulders as she gave him a curt nod.

“The evening meal should be ready shortly, my lord. I shall ensure extra places are set.”

They left the library together. As they were about to separate, he toward the solar and she toward the kitch
ens, they met Calum and Fergus.

Gwen spoke first to Fergus. “My lord, I welcome you to Chattan Castle and thank you for your assistance in searching for its mistress. Laird MacIntosh informs me you may have useful information. We shall be forever in your debt if it be so.”

“I am at your service,” he said. That was Fergus Mackay: a formidable foe or a devout friend. The man had no in between.

She turned toward Calum. James noticed she did not meet his brother’s eyes.

“My lord, I trust your travels find you well. The evening meal will be served soon. I will have one of the kitchen maids come and find you when it is time.”

Gwen turned to leave before he could respond which left Calum starin
g after her.

“Dammit, man,” Fergus said. “You act as if you’ve never seen a beautiful woman before. Stop staring before you embarrass yourself.”

James stifled the urge to laugh at Fergus’s comment and noted Gwen turned back to look at Calum. Their eyes locked for a moment and what passed between them was filled with unmistakable longing. His heart constricted.

At dawn the next morning the party set out for Peebleshire on horseback. Gwen admitted to James travelling this way was like a dream to her. She said it made her feel alive. James hadn’t wanted the carriage to slow them and was relieved when Gwen agreed to ride instead.

At Chattan Castle, he chose a young grey mare for Gwen he had only purchased two days prior to the trip to Edinburgh and now understood to whom she should belong. It became yet another gift from James to Gwen, one accepted without hesitation. They shared a silent moment of mutual respect, affection, and hope for the return of the woman they both loved beyond measure.

James himself was in better spirits since being reunited with Arion. Fergus had returned him to James before they left MacKay House and teased when James stroked the horse’s snout. “Would you like to be alone?”

James remembered the comment and it made him smile as he stroked Arion’s thick neck. He mounted the magnificent animal and broke into a heavy gallop long before the rest had even mounted.

The party rode hard southward and followed various well worn roadways. Some were in good condition while others were no more than a footpath through thick brush. James stayed ahead of everyone else. It was difficult enough to hold his focus and he couldn’t abide idle chatter.

Late on the second day, though they made good time, he realized they wouldn’t make it to Peebles before days ‘end so needed an overnight stop. They located an inn and settled in for the evening meal.

Most of Fergus’s and James’s men went to question the patrons of the local taverns while James, Fergus, Calum and Gwen shared a much needed meal in the small, cozy room. After a while, one of Fergus’s men returned and was rather anxious.

“You’d better come hear this,” he said. “Colin has gotten himself into a bit of a ruckus with a man who claims to have seen Gawain.”

James was on his feet and out the door with Fergus following tight behind. When they located Fergus’s clansman, Colin, the man he’d been speaking with had already slipped away. Colin recounted the information he’d acquired and another spring of hope burst inside James. The man had remembered someone of Gawain’s description. It was the thin frame and twisted mouth that pegged him. James’s fist twitched in memory of the encounter. The connection was enough. He couldn’t afford to waste one precious moment.

When James returned to the inn, he discovered Gwen and Calum embracing. Might the storm have passed between them? James hoped so. He cleared his throat. The interruption brought a flush to Gwen’s cheeks. Aye, they had turned a corner.

“I have some information placing Gawain in Peebles just after Aileana was taken.” It sounded fantastic to his ears even as he spoke the words. “I ride tonight and I would like you both to ride with me.”

Calum turned to look at James the moment he’d mentioned Gawain’s name. “Of course we’ll go with you.” Calum turned back to Gwen, took her face in his hands and kissed her.

James had to turn away lest someone see the sadness that swept over him. Imagining Aileana so close threatened his focus. But what if she wasn’t? This was the nearest they’d come to a lead since she’d disappear
ed.

He never experienced pain like he had that day. After their night together and their lovemaking that morning, he was a king with the world at his feet, never mind an earl’s title. Nothing, no pleasure of possession or previous experience, could match the joy that flooded him when he was with her.

A part of him knew she was still alive, but he still imagined the horrors she would have endured with Gawain. James pushed those terrible thoughts away like so many times before. He was close to finding her at last. He forced himself to believe it.

Gawain had been there. The man had described him well enough and indicated he
travelled alone which would be make sense considering he would have kept her out of sight. Of all the places they’d searched during these last months, no one ever remembered seeing him before. There was promise.

James readied Arion, thankful he’d had at least a two hour rest. He would have to ensure they use the horses as little as possible the next day which shouldn’t be a problem since most of Peebles could be searched on foot. He dared to hope he would find someone in that town who had seen Gawain. The tavern owner assured them the road to the town was good. James intended to see it with his own eyes by daybreak.

Fergus was tight to his heels and declared his intention to fight side by side with him if necessary. Who knew what they would find once they reached Peebles? James was grateful Fergus was determined to be a part of whatever they found.

He thought of Calum and Gwen. Their kiss brought fresh images of Aileana to his mind. He needed to find her and God help Gawain Chattan if she was harmed.

Their timing was perfect. Just as the first grey streaked across the sky, Peebles came into view. James stopped on the edge of town to determine which direction to go. He dismounted and walked through the main street stopping in front of a tavern with a low light in the window and a sign indicating there were rooms available. It was not his usual type of establishment, but something told him it was a good place to start.

Before James entered the place, he tied up his horse and looked around. He could feel something, some pull he couldn’t explain - she was near, there was no doubt about it.

Chapter Twenty-One

When Aileana’s eyes fluttered open, she discovered him staring, so close he startled her.

“Where were you last night?” she asked. “I woke to find you gone. I thought you might have been taken!” He didn’t look pleased by her onslaught of questions.

“My love, do not distress yourself,” he said. “I often go into the town late at night to make contact with the men who are keeping an eye out for your uncle. You sleep so sound, you’ve never noticed my trip each sennight. I dare not travel there in the daytime in case I am seen.”

He left her alone at night? She wasn’t sure she was happy about being here on her own, unprotected. Why hadn’t he told her this before?

“Do you really think he’ll find us here?”

“I’m not willing to take any chances in that regard,” he said.

Gawain moved to the stove and a pot containing what smelled like pottage. She clutched the quilts as she tried to reason out his secrecy.

When he turned around, she caught a dangerous flash in his eyes and his sideways grin. As she watched him, uneasiness settled into the pit of her stomach. She was not satisfied with this whole situation, but she couldn’t put her finger on why. She arose from her bed and moved to the small clothes chest in the corner, taking out fresh undergarments and a clean woollen dress. She couldn’t bathe or change in front of him because of that same nagging feeling preventing her from intimacy with him.

“I believe I shall bathe this morning. Will
you stoke the fire for me?”

Gawain nodded and moved about the cottage as if unaware of her discomfort. Aileana collected her clothes and made her way outside and toward the back to where a rough path led to a stream which formed into a small pool. It was perfect for one person to wash in.
Or two lovers
. Where had that thought come from? She didn’t imagine herself and Gawain there together. Who then?

Her previous night’s dream floated into her thoughts. The man seemed so familiar. She was safe and happy with him, but who was he? The kiss they’d shared was natural and sent fresh excitement through her. Was he someone she once knew? A shiver ran down her back as a slight breeze brought her back to the present. The chill encouraged her to rinse and dress.

When she returned to the cottage, Gawain was no longer there. She assumed he was collecting more wood. The fire she’d requested crackled and spread warmth which enveloped her. She moved to the hearth to begin the task of finger-combing out her long hair all the while staring into the fire.

Slow moving images formed in her mind. Through the mist a horse thundered toward her, but she couldn’t see the rider. A casket contained the body of a dead man, the same as in her dream the previous night. She saw him from another time, holding a little girl’s hand who cried. A woman dressed in servant’s clothes came out of the mist. Her face was kind and ever smiling with dark hair and hazel eyes. They laughed together.

She sat near the fire, transfixed, until it was almost gone. She had so many questions. If Gawain would perhaps describe her uncle and others she might place some of the faces. She had an overwhelming feeling her uncle was the man she saw in the casket, yet they ran from him. If her uncle was dead, what then? Could they go home?

Aileana braided her hair. She was desperate for answers and went looking for Gawain. She was familiar with the area and would locate him without trouble. These questions couldn’t wait and the answers might be able to help her piece together the
broken fragments of her memory.

A small thrill rushed through her when she thought of the remote possibility that these were actual memories and not some muddled fantasy. She would not dwell too much on the handsome man from her dream. How unfortunate if he was real and she a married woman?

Bright green above from the canopy created by the dense forest and dark brown earth below, Aileana explored the entire area. She found the place where they collected firewood and followed a path they used to collect berries. She searched every part of the wood she was familiar with, but was unable to find him anywhere.

Upon retreating toward the cottage, she heard voices. Aileana scanned the area and noticed two men in the distance through the trees. She didn’t know if she should make herself known or not. Her thoughts returned to Gawain’s dangerous expression earlier that day which brought back the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her instincts told her to keep quiet, but her curiosity was intense. She crept closer, doing her best to remain unseen and hid behind the large trees. As she inched toward Gawain and the stranger, she overheard part of the conversation.

“And your man is certain, the MacIntosh and the MacKay travel south together?” Gawain asked.

Aileana sized up the man to whom the question was put. He was larger than Gawain and his rotten, toothy smile made him appear unfriendly; almost menacing. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she watched them and listened for his answer.

“Aye, I’m certain. I don’t know what changed the direction of his search. We thought he’d given up when he headed north but it turns out he went straight to the MacKay. The next day they all headed out with a large party headed due south. With the roads he’s taking, by our accounts he’ll be in the Peebles any time now.”

“And your source, it’s reliable?”

“As reliable as any message carrier can be. If you’re leaving, I’d do so now.”

“And go where?” Gawain asked. “If he’s got MacKay on his side that means he has more resources. He already has a healthy spread of the King’s Guard keeping an eye out in the larger
centres. As I see it, as long as I’m travelling with her, I’ll be found.”

“What’ll you do with her?”

“You leave that to me. I grow tired of her questions and whining. I’m sure I can find a hole big enough to bury her in.”

Gawain and the man shared a sickening laugh as Aileana put her hand over her mouth to stop from gasping out loud.

“Well you had better bury her deep. I’m surprised he’s still searching for her after three months and hasn’t lost interest. Will you need help with her?”

“No, this is something I will take much pleasure in doing myself. You better make yourself scarce for the next little while. When I’m finished here, I plan to go further south myself. I’ll see to it her body is never found. As for me well, I have many places I can go where they’ll never find me.”

“Farewell, Gawain Chattan.”

The two men clapped each other on the shoulder before parting. Gawain walked a few steps and stopped, looking in her direction. As he scanned the area, she did not breathe or move. A deer stepped onto the path just ahead of him, causing him to shrug his shoulders and continue on his way.

Aileana remained undetected and when they were both long gone, she crept over to where they stood to find a faint path leading in opposite directions. One way led back to the cottage, which was the path Gawain had taken. The other must lead to Peebles. She took a mental note of where the path was before moving away from it to find someplace safe to think.

She reviewed the conversation between the two men. Gawain was planning to murder her, but why? Why when he claimed to have rescued her? Wasn’t she better off returning to her uncle? Had Gawain lied to her? How much of it was untrue? She buried her head in her hands in frustration. If only she could remember something.

Aileana’s thoughts shifted and turned and more than once she almost grasped something important. Her uncle - he was the key to the whole puzzle. Was he after her? Or was he, as her dream suggested, already dead?

“MacIntosh.”

Aileana heard herself say the name out loud knowing it meant something to her. Was the man in her dream the MacIntosh? Was he the man Gawain said her uncle was going to marry her off to? Aileana’s head started to pound from the dozens of unanswered questions.

There was one question, however, she needed answered. Where would she go? The town they mentioned was the only place she could think of. She didn’t know the way and prayed to God the path she h
ad chosen would take her there.

The sun was high in the sky which meant she had plenty of daylight left. She moved towards the path and heard something faint. A voice. She gave a moment’s pause and heard it again. It was louder this time and unmistakable.

Gawain was calling her name!

Aileana located the path and ran as fast as she could go in the opposite direction away from him. She ran until she could no longer feel her legs. The path went on forever with little to dis
tinguish one part from another.

Just how deep into the woods had they been?

As the sun set, she happened upon a clearing and noticed horses tied up near a building on the other side of it. She paused behind a large oak tree to catch her breath. Her lungs burned, but her drive to be as far away from Gawain as possible kept her focused ahead. Looking around, she walked toward the building under the cover of the trees, hoping someone might help her.

Once on the other side she could see more of the town a little further along. Gawain could just as easily take the same path to the town. She needed to find a good hiding spot to figure out what to do.

She scanned the town as best as she could from the trees until she spied a tavern. An upstairs room was a perfect place to hide. Aileana cursed. It might have been a great idea if she had any coin. She was about to go to the tavern anyway and appeal to the owner when the man Gawain had been conversing with came out through the door.

She hid behind a small building to ensure she couldn’t be seen and in doing so discovered an elderly woman who had been watching her from behind her home.

The woman approached her with her palms facing out.

“Hush lassie, that one there is bad and no mistake,” the woman said. “If ’tis a hiding spot you need I can help you.” She motioned her head in the direction behind her. “Quietly lass, follow me.”

She had no alternative but to follow this strange woman. The two walked behind a couple more houses before ducking inside a smaller one. The old woman ushered Aileana into a sitting room and motioned her to a well-worn chair.

“Now lassie, I know fear when I see it. You’re safe in this place, my Iain and I will make sure of it. These are dangerous times dear. You know you shouldn’t be about on your own don’t you? My name is Shauna Campbell. You could start by telling me yours.”

Her words caught in her throat at the mention of the name Iain. An image flashed across her mind, not just one but many, dozens of the same man. The man in the coffin, Aileana could see him in all sorts of places, each time looking at her and smiling, always smiling. Her uncle’s name was Iain! She loved him and he wouldn’t hurt her for the world.

“Are you
all right, love? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I
—I’m sorry. You’re kind to help me. My name is Aileana. I’m sorry that’s all I can tell you.”

“I understand dear, you don’t have to tell me all your secrets. It’s just that you looked so afraid outside. Tell me dear, are you in trouble?”

“Yes, I mean no, I mean, I don’t know.”

“Well that’s a start isn’t it?”

“You don’t understand. I know my name is Aileana because he’s been calling me that. I have no idea what I was called before that. I fell, or at least that’s what he told me. I don’t actually know what happened. I woke up in a cottage just back there in the wood and he told me we hid from my uncle but I keep dreaming about him and in my dreams he’s a kind man.”

“Love, you’re going to have to slow down. I want you to stay right here. I’m going to go fetch my Iain and we’ll try to help you with this.”

Aileana was afraid to be left alone. This woman could expose her. She had no idea who to trust.

“Ahhh I see what you’re thinking.” The old woman touched her shoulder. “Listen well, dear. You’re safe here, as safe as any dwelling in this town except the one I saw you watching. I’ll be back in a quick minute. Do you ken?”

Aileana nodded, what choice did she have? While Shauna was gone, she explored her surroundings. The humble dwelling was comfortable and welcoming, and under different circumstances she could feel at ease here. She looked around the room with its humble decorations. What did her home look like?

“There she is. And a fantastic tale she’s telling to be sure,” Shauna said.

An elderly and hobbling Iain shuffled into the room and sat next to her. After sizing up his new guest he grabbed a knitted quilt and placed it over her shoulders.

“You’d better stoke the fire, love. I think she’s got herself a good chill out there today. Now dear, why don’t you start from the beginning and tell us everything you can remember.”

True gentleness rested in his eyes. It was easy to take them both at their word as she recounted all she could remember or was told by Gawain.

Quite some time later after much discussion, they led her to a small undecorated chamber with a bed. She settled down onto it and drifted off. Her dreams were filled with images of her uncle, a kind man who was dead and unable to save her from
the clutches of Gawain Chattan.

Aileana awoke some
time later to the most delicious smell. Rising from her bed, she made her way out into the main section of the small house. Shauna and Iain were there waiting for her with a full spread of eggs, cured boar, warm fresh loaf, and hot mead. Aileana was famished.