My Brave Highlander (15 page)

Aiden's face blanched white as his eyes locked to Dirk's. He shoved to his feet.

The brawny young man beside him rose as well, his hand going to rest on his sword hilt, his glare fixed on Dirk. "Who the hell is that?" he growled.

Could he be Haldane, Dirk's youngest half-brother? He had not seen the lad since he was seven summers old. Aye, he resembled Da and Dirk, as well, with ginger hair. Though Haldane had not yet filled out into a man, he was tall and broad-shouldered.

"I'm Dirk MacKay," he said in a strong voice so everyone in the large room would be sure to hear. He was surprised he had to state the obvious, but a lot of time had passed and his brothers had been children when he'd left.

Gasps echoed in the silence of the hall. Dirk quickly scanned faces in the room, most of them familiar.

"Do you not remember your eldest brother?" Conall asked Haldane.

"Dirk died. I remember that much," Haldane said in a harsh tone.

"Nay, he is alive and well, as you can see," Conall said.

Aiden remained transfixed, braced against the table, his wide-eyed gaze searching Dirk's face.

"Aiden, 'tis good to see you again, lad." Dirk gave a slight grin, hoping to put everyone at ease.

"Is it really you, brother?" he asked in an awed tone.

"Aye." Dirk moved forward and extended his hand.

His brother studied his face intently, clasped his hand, then embraced him.

"But how can this be? We thought you dead, fallen from a cliff at Faraid Head."

"I'm not so easy to kill." Dirk's gaze slid over Haldane, his expression clearly hostile. "Haldane, you've grown," Dirk said by way of greeting.

His youngest brother merely glared in response.

Both young men had the green eyes of their mother. Dirk scanned the room, wondering where the murderous hag might be and who else here was unfriendly. He expected hostilities, of course. But the person who stood to lose the most, Aiden, was the one who'd welcomed him with the greatest warmth.

Dirk had not come to greedily take over. Hell, he did not even want the responsibility. But it was his birthright, and his father had groomed him to be the next chief from the time he was a babe.

In their youth, Aiden had not been trained the same way. His mother had pushed him toward the training, but his father had ignored her. Nor had Aiden held any interest in fighting or leading. He was fascinated by music and took to playing the pipes early, as well as other instruments.

Dirk had a feeling Haldane was far different. He had a militant MacKay look about him that was only intensified by his mother's Gordon blood.

Dirk turned to the elders, including two of his great uncles, who entered the room and shook their hands. They all murmured in amazement and welcomed him.

"He's an imposter," Haldane shouted, his face red.

"Nay, lad," Conall said, his bushy gray brows lowered.

"He fell from a cliff onto the rocks below and died."

"You were not there and did not see this. Besides, you were naught more than a bairn of seven summers," Conall growled. "His body was never recovered, was it?" he asked the group at large.

Several, including the elders, shook their heads.

"Dirk did not fall onto the rocks below," Conall proclaimed, his voice echoing off the high ceiling. "Someone pushed him—the same man who killed Will MacKay! But Dirk fell a short distance down the cliff face and caught on a small outcropping of rocks. I know this because I threw a rope down and pulled him back up."

Dirk nodded, the icy, dark claws of fear raking through him once again. For years, he had nightmares about hanging off the side of a cliff, grieving the loss of his best friend, knowing he would be next if the rock gave way.

"You did?" Aiden asked, his eyes wide. "Why did you not tell us he survived? Why did you let us believe the worst… including Da? It near killed him when he thought Dirk died."

"Because someone wanted him dead!" Conall smashed a beefy fist down onto the wide-planked table. "He was a lad of but fifteen summers. He was well-trained for his age, but he was not yet experienced enough to defend himself against someone intent upon murder."

"Who would want to murder him?" Haldane asked. "An enemy clan?"

"Nay. A traitorous member of the MacKay clan," Conall said.

The murmurs of the clan around them grew louder.

"Who?" Haldane demanded.

Conall hesitated, his fierce blue eyes scanning the room. Did he dare blurt out the truth, Dirk wondered.

"I have no proof as to the murderer's identity," Conall finally admitted.

"You know naught, then." Haldane smirked. "If this is truly Dirk MacKay, where has he been all these years?"

"Many places," Dirk said.

"You are not my father's son."

Dirk snorted and narrowed his eyes. Who did this lad think he was? Dirk was just the man to teach this wee bastard a few things.

Two male clan elders gathered close, visually inspecting Dirk.

"Aye, 'tis Dirk MacKay, as sure as I'm standing here," Ranald, his father's sword-bearer said. "He is the image of his father at that age. He has the look of our Northman ancestors."

"He has a red birthmark in the shape of a dirk on his back. I saw it the day he was born. To Chief Griff, this was a sign he should be called Dirk. That will surely prove who he is," his great uncle Hamish said. Though he had a thick white beard, he appeared hale and hearty.

"You jest!" Haldane said. "A mark upon his back means naught."

The half dozen clan elders ignored him and gathered to talk low in a corner with their heads together.

Dirk had forgotten about the birthmark since it was on the back part of his shoulder. But he was glad the clan might use it to prove his identity.

The elders mumbled for a few moments then faced them again. "Aye, we must see the birthmark and then there will be no more question about his identity," Uncle Hamish said.

"Very well." Dirk removed his outer clothing, his doublet and his shirt until he was bare from the waist up.

"Aye, there 'tis!" Uncle Hamish said to his fellow clansmen and poked the back of Dirk's left shoulder. "You see, 'tis reddish in color and the shape of a Highland dirk, the MacKay's symbol." The other elders murmured their agreement behind him. "Turn and allow the whole clan to see, lad."

Dirk did as he asked, then the clan elders gathered in the corner again to discuss things.

"I will not allow him to take what is rightfully my brother's," Haldane seethed.

His brother's? Dirk's gaze darted back and forth between Aiden's meek, confused frown and Haldane's malicious one.

"Shut your mouth, you upstart lad," Uncle Conall snapped.

"I'm far more than a lad. I, along with my men, lifted a dozen cattle from the Gunns but last month. They feared us so much they let us do it."

Putting his shirt on again, Dirk glared at his brother. Was that how he proved that he was a man? Stealing from and provoking neighboring clans. Aye, it was a time-honored Highland tradition, but this would do naught but cause future strife. Too many were killed in clan feuds as it was.

"You have men?" Dirk asked.

"The men of the MacKay clan. Aiden authorized the raid. 'Tis what we do to prove our manhood here, something I'm sure you've never done."

"Never needed to. 'Tis obvious I'm a man." Dirk forced himself not to smirk. "Besides I was at university when I was your age."

"University?" Haldane snorted. "Of what use is that? It only makes you more like the Sassenachs."

"All chiefs are required by the king to send their eldest sons."

Haldane shrugged. "Ma brought in tutors. I wager we know as much as you do."

The six clan elders disbanded from their private conference. "We will have a hearing to decide whether Dirk MacKay, eldest son and legal heir of Griff MacKay, will become chief," Hamish said in a loud voice. "This meeting will be held three days hence."

Dirk gave a bow of respect to them. "I thank you."

Much mumbling and chatter ensued. Dirk glanced around the room and his gaze landed on a familiar female face. His wee sister?

"Is that Jessie?" he asked Conall.

"Aye and hasn't she turned into a bonny lass?"

The tall young woman with flaming red hair and blue eyes descended the steps. With a wide smile, she threw herself onto him for a massive hug. "I cannot believe you're alive, brother. After all these years."

"Aye, 'tis good to see you again, lass."

He and Jessie had been close for a few years when they were young children, but when Jessie was seven summers, they'd sent her to foster with the Keiths. Mainly because their stepmother hadn't wanted her underfoot. Jessie had been a wee hellion at the time, following the lads around and engaging them in mock battles with wooden swords. He'd only seen her a few times since. He'd missed her greatly since she was his only full sibling.

She was three-and-twenty, and he couldn't believe Da hadn't married her off before now.

Jessie stepped back to beam up at him. "I'm so happy you're alive and have come home."

"I'm glad to be home. But I'm sorry I didn't make it in time to see Da one last time."

"Aye, he would've been beside himself with joy to know you are indeed alive."

Her words only made Dirk regret his decision to stay away even more. He'd always known his father loved him, but twelve years ago, it seemed Da had loved and trusted Maighread far more. At times, Dirk had been angry at his father for not believing him and ignoring his concerns.

"Will you be staying tonight?" his sister asked. "I can have a room prepared."

"Is our adoring stepmother here?" he asked.

Jessie grinned. "Nay, she is at Tongue."

Conall drew him aside and said in a low voice, "It might be best if we stay at the cottage tonight."

Dirk knew what his uncle was hinting at—his safety. In truth he wasn't sure he wanted to turn his back on Haldane long enough to exit the room, much less sleep under the same roof. The lad had violence in his eyes. Aiden came forward, approaching Dirk.

"Won't you stay the night here, brother?" he asked.

Dirk frowned, trying to decipher Aiden's frame of mind and motives. He had not changed a lot since the last time he'd seen him. He was taller, of course, but he was still thin. He certainly didn't appear old enough or fearsome enough to be a chief.

"I'd like it if you would," Aiden went on. "It has been many years. I'd like to talk and catch up."

Dirk gave a brief nod. He'd make sure to sleep far from Haldane and bar the door. "Do you have room for my friend, the Earl of Rebbinglen, as well?"

"Earl?" Aiden's wide eyes traveled to Rebbie, who gave a slight bow. "Of course. We'd be honored."

Haldane, a few inches taller than Aiden and broader of shoulder, sidled up to him. "They're not staying here, Aiden."

"Aye, I've invited them. Dirk is our brother and his friend is an earl."

"I don't care who the blazes they say they are. We have no proof this truly is Dirk. And anyone can say they're an earl. Doesn't make it so."

Rebbie smirked. Dirk knew he had no need to prove himself. One had only to look at him, his possessions, and his clothing to know he was of the nobility. But Dirk's youngest brother was not very wise or observant.

"Stand down, Haldane. I've already decided," Aiden said.

"Haldane, you dimwit. Of course he's Dirk," Jessie put in for good measure.

"Shut your mouth, Jessie." Haldane passed his glare over all of them before snarling words under his breath and stamping away.

Jessie turned, directing servants to prepare extra bedchambers.

"Could we talk for a few minutes in the library?" Aiden asked Dirk.

"Aye, of course."

Carrying a candle, Aiden led the way from the expansive great hall, down a tight corridor and into the smaller room his father had used for official business. The room looked deserted now without his father occupying the massive desk in the corner or sitting in one of the chairs at the table where small meetings were held or maps were spread out. Rolled documents and papers still filled some of the shelves along one wall.

They took seats before the hearth where a small fire smoldered. Aiden added a brick of peat to the fire, then turned to Dirk. "You left because someone tried to murder you?"

"Aye." Dirk could see how the information Conall revealed in the great hall would be a shock to Aiden. He'd been too young back then to be involved. Had any of them suspected murder or did they think he and Will had simply had an accident and both fallen off the cliff?

"Who did this? Who killed Cousin Will?"

Dirk was unsure whether he should tell Aiden his mother was the guilty party. "I have no proof as of yet, Aiden. I hope to expose them."

"But you suspect someone."

"Aye, but I'd rather not say yet. I'm certain it will all come to light now that I'm back. Tell me of Da's last few days."