Laird of the Mist (8 page)
― The witch‘s words were true,‖ Carrick said, his head in his hands.―I shouldha thought…‖ He raised his face to look at Hamish. They had come into the sitting room of the castle hotel to discuss the situation and plan what to do.
― No, it‘s not,‖ Hamish agreed.―The witch led ye to believe the locket would allow
ye
to travel. She didna say it would affect Cat.‖
―True.‖ Carrick nodded.―But it doesna make it less so. We must go to her as soon as we can manage it.‖
―How are we supposed to do that?‖ Olivia stood up and began to pace.―We don‘t know how the thing works. And you said the witch used special chants and stones and stuff.‖
―Aye, she did,‖ he answered, his face tense recalling the strange ritual.―Do ye no have witches in yer time?‖ he directed to Hamish, who appeared deep in thought.
―There are witches in our time,‖ Hamish began slowly.―I knew a pair of sisters in my home, Kingussie. They were verra adept.‖
―Then we must go to them,‖ Carrick decided firmly.―Mayhap they will ken the words to send us.‖
―That is a possibility,‖ Hamish agreed, uncertainly.―If they are still there. It has been many years since I last saw them, mind.‖
―Well, let‘s get going then,‖ Olivia demanded.―Let‘s pack and get to Kingussie.‖ Olivia started walking toward the door. ―We need to find these witches and get to Cat right away. I‘m going to change and pack,‖ she said over her shoulder as she left the room.
―We will need a plan,‖ Carrick said as he rose to follow.
―Aye, we do,‖ Hamish agreed, joining him.―We can devise it on the way to Kingussie. We‘d best hurry.‖ His voice was grave.―Our Cat has stepped into verra dangerous times.‖
―Ohhh,‖ Cat groaned, her hand on her face to shield her eyes from the afternoon sun.―My head...‖ ―‗Twill be fine, lass,‖ a raspy voice said from above where she lay.―I‘ll fix ye some willow tea to stop the ache. Let‘s get ye up slowly, aye?‖Cat opened her eyes to see an old, familiar face framed in wild grey hair looking back at her, eyes full of kindness and concern.
―Morag?‖ Cat ventured, recalling the witch.―Is that you?‖
―Aye, Jenny.‖ She laughed.―So ye do remember me,‖ Morag said, helping Cat to shakily stand.―I dinna expect ye to come. I thought Carrick would be wi‘ ye by now, in yer own time.‖
―He was.‖ She was still a bit unsteady as they made their way from the edge of the pool.―I think I was sent back somehow...oh...‖ She suddenly remembered, putting her hand to her throat. ―The locket.‖
―The locket sent ye?‖ Morag shook her head in wonder.―The spell was no to bring
ye
back, only Carrick. Here we are.‖ She led Cat into the cottage and bade her sit at the table.―I‘ll brew ye some willow while ye tell me all.‖
Cat sat sipping the tea, and told Morag everything that had occurred since Carrick‘s arrival in her time. Morag listened with intense interest to every word. By the time Cat finished the tale, her headache was gone.
―‗Tis clear there are things we must do,‖ Morag said, finally.―First, we must get ye to the great house. They can properly care for ye there.‖
―To Molly and Ian?‖ she questioned. It was all surreal to her. How did this happen? Here she was in Carrick‘s time and he was stuck in...
―Aye, lass.‖ Morag nodded.―I will take ye there the now. But first,‖ she said, taking an end of Cat‘s
arisaidh
, ―we must hide this away. Tartan is outlawed since the rising. Ye would suffer severe penalty should it be found.‖
―But the Act of Proscription doesn‘t happen until August,‖ Cat argued, unpinning it from her gown. ―No one will care until then.‖
―Mayhap so, lass,‖ Morag admonished.―But word has come that Cumberland has banned it the now and ye dinna wish to beg the issue, aye?‖ Morag carefully folded the
arisaidh
and hid it away.
―I ken ye are Caitriona,‖ she went on.―But the others, they ken ye as Jenny. Ye must answer to it now. And ye need to speak like a Highland lass. Do ye ken the way?‖
―Aye, I do,‖ she answered, smiling.―I ken it well. I will practice yer advice, Morag.‖ She grabbed the ends of the shawl Morag placed around her shoulders.
―I hope Carrick finds a way to come soon,‖ she said. She was both sad and worried sick. She knew what history had in store for them all.
―As do I, lass,‖ Morag answered gently, leading her toward the door.―I ken the lad well, and he will move the heavens to find ye. Ye‘ll see.‖
―Morag,‖ Cat ventured.―There are things I must tell ye as we go along. Things of the future.‖
―If ye must,‖ Morag answered as they walked through the forest.
―I must.‖ Cat felt a responsibility to warn her. Morag would believe her, after all.―‗Tis for the safety and protection of ye all.‖
―I ken, lass.‖ Morag smiled at her.―I ken it will be bad. The runes ha‘ told me so. I will hear ye and help where I can.‖
―The first thing is that we must get away from here.‖ Cat was urgent in this.―We must find a place in the hills to hide for a time. Cumberland‘s troops will be here tomorrow or the day after. They will murder, burn, and pillage the entire glen.‖
Morag stopped in her tracks and looked at Cat.―Ye ken this for certain, do ye?‖
―Aye, I do,‖ Cat answered, grasping the old woman‘s hand in hers.―They will burn and pillage the castle tomorrow.‖
―Ye have seen this in yer time?‖
―I have seen the history of it in my time, aye,‖ Cat assured her.―And I have seen the ruins of the castle myself this verra day before I...‖
―I will help ye.‖ Morag nodded in understanding.―We will tell them ye met wi‘ soldiers coming here.‖
―A good plan,‖ Cat answered as they arrived at the door to the great house where Morag knocked and gave Cat a conspiratorial look.
―Good day to ye, Anne,‖ Morag said to the young woman who answered.―I ha‘ brought Lady MacDonell home. Would ye be so kind as to tell the Laird and Lady Molly we are arrived?‖
Anne instantly recognized Cat and threw her arms around her in greeting.
―Oh my!‖ she squealed.―We thought ye dead! Come through, come.‖ She pulled Cat by the hands into the sitting room.―I‘ll fetch Ian and Molly. Don‘t ye dare move!‖ She hurried out of the room, barely containing her excitement.
―Quite a welcome,‖ Cat said to Morag as they stood waiting for Molly.―And aye, I do remember her.‖
Before Morag could answer, an ebullient Molly flew through the door and stopped dead to look at Cat.
―Oh, my good Lord! Jenny MacHendrie, ye are alive!‖ she cried, reaching to enfold Cat in her arms. ―I didna believe it when Carrick said ye were alive and he was gone to find ye. Oh, thank God!‖ She tightened her embrace.
Tears welled in Cat‘s eyes as she recognized this loving mother-in-law. Memories poured in of the love and friendship they had shared. She felt the kindness and generosity Molly had shown her, and the family she had in this home.
Before Cat could respond, Ian arrived, a stunned look on his face.―Jenny?‖ he said hesitantly.―Where have ye been all these days? I canna believe it!‖ He hugged her hard, then stepped back to wait for her answer.
―I was taken to Edinburgh,‖ she sputtered, creating a story.―Ye ken my grandda there? The doctor? And my wee sister?‖ Jenny had had a younger sister, also called Olivia. Her grandfather, Hamish MacAllan, had been a doctor. They moved to Edinburgh some years before after her mother abandoned the family and the wee Olivia. Would they still be alive too? she wondered. She must find them once this crisis was over.
―I will tell ye the tale later,‖ Cat continued quickly, trying to distract them from the subject. Remembering the task at hand, she said,―I am so verra happy to be home, but I have urgent news, and we must act quickly.‖
―But where is Carrick?‖ Molly wiped tears from her face.―Is he no with ye?‖ she asked.
―He will be along in a day or so,‖ Cat lied cautiously.―He sent me ahead to - uh - to warn ye all that the soldiers will be here soon. We must prepare and hide immediately.‖ Cat let out an anxious breath.
Pray God they believe me
.
―Aye, I ken,‖ Ian answered, his demeanor turning grave.―I had word of them coming just the other day. We have already begun to prepare,‖ he assured Cat.
―Good,‖ Cat nodded.―There is no time to spare. Ye must send the servants home. Then we must take what we can and go into the hills.‖
―We have hidden the valuables and weapons in the cellar in the barn. My father put one there with a false floor after the ‗15,‖ he explained.―Anne is the only servant here as she has nowhere to go. There‘s a wee herdsman‘s shelter deep in the woods. The soldiers wouldna find it, even if they cared to go that far, aye?‖
―We were about to go when ye arrived,‖ Molly added.―‗Tis good ye came when ye did.‖ Molly turned to Morag.―Ye‘re coming as well, Morag? Ye canna stay in the glade.‖
―Aye,‖ Morag answered.―Let‘s be quick to the task,‖ she said as the tension rose.
Come quick Carrick. The glen needs ye as never before.
Carrick, who had insisted on learning to drive early in the trip, pulled the Mercedes to a stop. It had not taken long to find the stone cottage that belonged to the Henderson sisters. Carrick, Hamish, and Olivia had stopped for food at a pub in Kingussie and inquired about them.
The cheerful proprietor had been a boyhood friend of Hamish, and though it had been a few years, recognized him instantly.
Armed with directions, they set off down a winding, forested road to find the home of the witches of Kingussie.
Hamish led the way to the door and knocked loudly. Relieved to have found the place, he waited for an answer.
―Aye?‖ A tiny, blue-eyed face looked out at him.―What d‘ye want?‖ she asked impatiently.
―Mistress Henderson,‖ Hamish said, politely bowing to her.―I am Hamish MacPhail. Perhaps ye remember me?‖
―Hamish MacPhail,‖ she repeated, searching her memory.―Oh aye,‖ she smiled, recognizing him and opening the door wider.―‗Tis been many a year. Do ye come through.‖ She gestured in invitation.―
Margaret,‖ she called over her shoulder,―we have guests.‖ Then to Hamish, ―Sit ye down and tell me why ye‘ve come after so long an absence.‖
―Thank ye kindly.‖ Hamish stood before the sofa and put a hand on Olivia‘s shoulder.―First, may I introduce ye to my granddaughter, Olivia MacPhail? And this is my grandson-in-law, Carrick Laird MacDonell.‖
―
Laird
MacDonell?‖ Her eyes went wide at that.―Oh my, please accept our hospitality. And ye too, Miss Olivia.‖
―Did I hear ye right, Mary?‖ Another tiny lady stepped into the room. They looked like aging faery twins, both with speckled hair and bright blue eyes.
Ye heard,‖ Mary acknowledged her sister.―‗Tis Hamish MacPhail and his granddaughter, Olivia,‖ she made the introductions.―And this is Laird MacDonell.‖ She nodded toward Carrick.
Margaret looked each one over closely and said, ―Ye must stay to tea. I‘ll fetch it right away,‖ and was out of the room before anyone could reply.
―Do ye sit,‖ she invited again.―And tell me the reason for yer visit.‖
Hamish began to tell Mary the tale of what had brought them to this point, interspersed with remarks from Carrick and Olivia. Margaret had joined them with scones and tea, and sat listening all the while with rapt interest.
When Hamish finished the story, Margaret spoke up for the first time.―A fascinating tale, to be sure. But what has it to do wi‘ us?‖ she asked suspiciously.―Well, ye see,‖ Hamish began gingerly. ―I recall ye have the - er - gift and we were hoping ye could help us.‖
―Help ye how?‖ Mary broke in.―And who says we ha‘ the gift? Ye believe that old gossip?‖
―I believe it,‖ Hamish said flatly.―All of Kingussie kens it.‗Tis no a secret.‖
―No,‖ Mary sighed and sat back in her chair.―I s‘pose it isna at that. Still...‖
―I traveled here wi‘ the help of the gift,‖ Carrick spoke up.―I ken it can be done. I am proof of it.‖
―He speaks true. And we did help a traveler once. He wanted to go to the future.‖ Margaret nodded, putting a hand on her sister‘s arm.―But that was long ago and we never kent if our efforts were in vain.‖
―He just,‖ Mary began with an airy wave of her hand, ―disappeared.‖
―Then surely it must have worked.‖ Carrick leaned forward in earnest.―Are ye willing to try again?‖
―Oh my goodness,‖ Mary exclaimed.―That is much to ask. I dinna ken if we could, if we still have the strength of the gift.‖
―It canna hurt to try.‖ Margaret was enjoying the thought of adventure.―If my wee sister doesna wish to help ye, I will,‖ Margaret stated emphatically.
―Oh, all right then,‖ Mary relented.―Tomorrow night is full moon. We can try then. We need time to set things in order.‖
―Come back tomorrow at eight o‘clock in the evening.‖ Margaret smiled at them.―And we shall make the attempt.‖
Carrick let out a long sigh of relief. If all went well, he would be reunited with Cat tomorrow. Hopefully, it would be in time to prevent any harm coming to her.