A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) (11 page)

Lord, help Sven and me
through this. I dinna understand, but know You are in control.

The group reached the castle, and Gavin called to the guard on
the barbican. The large iron-studded doors slowly opened. He led the way into
the inner bailey. Tavish dismounted to help Maidie and Sven to the ground. Gavin
dismounted then handed the reins to a servant.

He turned to the young warrior, “Tavish, come with us to see
the chief. He may want to ask questions of you.”

Tavish gave the reins of his horse to the servant who took all
three away to the stable. The warrior led the way to the door of the keep and
held it open for the others to pass through, then walked behind the group.
Servants worked at making the great hall ready for the evening meal. The aroma
of cooking food permeated the air. Maidie’s stomach churned. There would be no
way she could eat now.

Gavin led the party up the spiral stone steps to the second
floor. He knocked on a door adjacent to the chief’s bedchamber. Maidie
remembered that bedchamber all too well. Young Colin opened the door for the
group to enter. Maidie looked around the tastefully furnished library. A large,
beautiful tapestry graced one wall, while bookshelves lined two others. The
third wall held a large fireplace where a blazing fire burned and a door
leading to the chief’s bedchamber. Andrew sat at a desk made of gleaming oak
wood. Two leather-backed chairs sat before the fire and a third in front of the
desk. Lamps and sconces provided light. The library was a fine one for a
Highland chief.

Andrew rose, came around his desk, and took Maidie’s hand. His
lips brushed the back of it, making her stomach churn more. “Madam.” He looked
into her eyes, “What troubles you, Madam?”

“Brother,” Gavin said, “Madam Munro’s dwelling has been
wrecked. Someone entered her cottage while we were burying Randal and destroyed
all of her belongings, including the food you sent from the castle.”

“What!” Andrew led Maidie to a chair beside the fire then took
the one opposite her. “I’m verra sorry to hear of such a thing happening in
Drumainn. The villagers are good people, desiring to help each other, not
destroy one’s property.” His grey eyes flashed like lightning through a summer
sky. He asked Gavin, “Do you have an idea who did the deed?”

“I have nae idea.” Gavin shook his head.

Andrew turned to Maidie, leaned forward, and took her hands. “Would
you care for a toddy, Madam? Your face is white and your hands tremble.”

“No thank you, M’Laird. I canna hold anything on my stomach
now.”

“Aye, you need rest, you and your son.” He released her hands
and looked at Sven. “The lad is pale too. Both of you have been through much of
late.” He stood and helped Maidie to rise. “You are under my care and
protection now. I’ll see naught else happens.” The chief led Maidie to the door
and then turned to Tavish. “I’ll talk to you later of the incident. For now,
stay close to the lass. I want Ullas with the lad. They’ll be a good match.”

Maidie turned to Andrew before she left the chamber. “Is that
necessary? Tavish has more important things to attend than play my nursemaid.”

Sparks flew from the chief’s eyes again. “Madam, I kindly ask you
not to question my orders to my men. Please rest now. I hope to see you at the
head table for the evening meal.” He spoke to Tavish, “Take Madam Munro to the
bedchamber she used last. I’ll send Nellie to her.”

Tavish nodded and led the way down the dimly lit passage to
the bedchamber Maidie and Sven slept in while she tended the chief. She had no
choice. An image of her childhood home flashed through her mind. Mayhap her
father would welcome her return. She felt certain he would welcome Sven, his
grandson. But would his wife welcome them? While remaining single for several
years when her mother died from the fever, her da remarried after Maidie left
home. She felt his new wife was one reason she had not heard from her da in a
long time, and then the feud began.

Tavish opened the door to the bedchamber. “I’ll be outside your
door, Madam.” He seemed hesitant to move from the doorway.

“Thank you, Tavish.” She smiled at the young warrior. He was
loyal and now a true friend. “I appreciate all you’ve done for Sven and me.”

“I’m happy to be of service.” His face brightened in a smile,
yet he stood without moving.

Maidie didn’t know what to say. She turned away to find Sven
staring out of the window. Moving to stand beside him, she placed her arm
around his shoulder. The warriors were training in the meadow outside of the
bailey once again.

Turning quickly to Tavish, who had not moved from the doorway,
she asked, “Shouldn’t you be training with the fighting men?”

“Aye, Madam, except I’ve been assigned to guard you and the
lad.” His face beamed.

Turning the warrior from his assignment was an impossible
task. Maidie took Sven by the hand and led him away from the window. Warriors,
weapons, and fighting surrounded them. She went to Tavish, put a hand on his
chest, pushed him out of the doorway, then closed the heavy door.

Chapter Nine

Andrew sat at the head table on the
dais, eating in silence and keeping one eye on the stairwell. Davina sat on one
side with Gavin, who conversed with Erskin, on the other. Maidie had not yet
made an appearance at the evening meal. The distraught lass must intend to take
food in her chamber. Gavin brought her to the castle just the day before when
her home was wrecked. After searching through the rubble of her cottage and
byre, Gavin said he had no idea as to the identity of the culprit.

Andrew touched Gavin’s arm, so his brother turned to face him.
“I want to speak to you and Davina in the library after the meal. Too much
noise and too many ears to discuss the MacKenzie matter here,” Andrew said
while taking a bite of broiled trout.

Gavin nodded then quickly turned away. Maidie came down the
stairwell with Sven in front of her and Tavish close behind. The young warrior
sported a beaming countenance. Andrew noticed the gleam in his brother’s eye
while he watched the healer descend the stairs. The man could not take his eyes
from her.

Gavin turned back to Andrew but kept his eye on Maidie while
her wee group found a place to sit at one of the lower tables. She glanced
toward the head table, but quickly turned her eyes away and spoke to Sven.
Tavish took his place beside Maidie and passed a dish of haggis to her. The
warrior took his job seriously and seemed to enjoy it too much.

“Brother, we may need to change Madam Munro’s bodyguard.
Tavish seems to be taken with the lass,” Gavin spoke in Andrew’s ear.

Andrew looked in Maidie’s direction. He continued to stare at
her until Davina touched his arm for attention. He answered her question then
turned back to watch Maidie. He couldn’t blame his brother for being taken with
the lass. The woman had a way about her, different from most. She seemed
gentle, kind, although strong-willed, and her beauty a natural wholesome sort.
She sat now with the grace and look of nobility—golden hair piled in a
stylish coiffeur, a simple blue linen frock dipping in the front with lace over
her breasts, and covered with a quilted darker blue vest. Nellie did a good job
finding suitable clothes. She looked his way. He smiled. She returned the
smile. His heart beat faster. Gad! The lass had three men giddy over her.

Andrew watched Gavin finger the large ruby hanging from his
neck on a heavy silver chain. He told Andrew the old peddler who sold him the
stone in Stirling, said it came with the Crusaders from the Holy Land and would
bring good luck to the owner. Andrew knew all too well his brother called upon
the stone’s power to give him good luck with women he desired. Now the rogue
turned his desires to Maidie. Andrew determined to thwart his brother’s amorous
intentions toward the healer. She was no ordinary wench Gavin could twist
around his little finger at a whim.

Servants began clearing tables while the musicians took their
places in the center of the hall. One played a flute, one a beautiful Scottish
lap harp adorned in crystals and painted with gold filigree, the other the
pipes. A bard took a stool beside the harpist. The piper began with a haunting
melody while the diners quieted to listen to the music. Maidie and the others
turned on the benches to face the musicians. She listened intently.

Andrew watched his brother, who sat staring not at the
musicians, but the healer. Davina rose then made her way to Maidie’s table. She
squeezed between Tavish and the lass. The two women engaged in conversation,
laughing and smiling often.

The musicians played while the bard sang about the great Munro
chief and his exploits, the song one Andrew had not heard before. The musicians
certainly knew how to raise their honor pay—sing songs about the
greatness of the chief and his accomplishments. He smiled, nodded toward the
singer, hoping the song impressed Maidie. She turned in his direction. The two
exchanged ardent stares.

Andrew thought he might ask Maidie to dance, but his wound
throbbed. He could do nothing but sit and stare at her. Gavin smacked the table
with his hand, causing a mug of ale to overturn, then rose and made his way
from the head table while the musicians began to play a fast reel. Couples rose
to dance.

***

While Maidie watched the dancers,
Gavin’s large form appeared in front of her. She looked up. “Madam, may I have
this dance?” he asked, holding out a hand.

“I’m not good at dancing to the fast music, Sire. In fact, I
am a very clumsy dancer.” She smiled up at him, but made no effort to take his
hand or rise, so he let his hand drop.

“We’ll remedy that, Madam. I am a good teacher. Ask Davina.”
Gavin nodded toward his sister.

“Yes, he is a good teacher, Maidie, and an accomplished
dancer. Please dance with him,” Davina pleaded. “I will take a spin with
Tavish.” She flashed a broad smile toward the young warrior who blushed
crimson.

Tavish didn’t hesitate, but rose and extended his hand to
Davina. The couple walked to the dancers then took their place in the line. It
didn’t take long for them to catch the spirit of the music as the men turned
the ladies and the couples made their way down the middle of the line. Those
watching clapped and sang along with the music. Effie and Dan ran to Sven,
leading him away to the kitchen to play with the hound pups. Gavin sat beside
Maidie.

“If you wanna dance, will you accompany me on a walk around
the garden? Our gardens are some of the finest in the highlands.” He extended a
hand.

“Aye, I’d enjoy walking in the gardens.” She took his hand and
rose to face him with a smile

He returned her smile while gazing into her eyes, squeezing
her hand a bit too hard. Although the great hall felt hot from the fires in the
large hearths and the many bodies filling the room, a chill ran through her
body.

They began walking toward the outside door. Suddenly, Maidie
removed her hand. “I have no wrap.”

“I will escort you to retrieve your wrap, since your guard
dances instead of doing his job,” a deep voice spoke. Andrew stood behind Gavin.
“Come with me, Madam.” The chief extended his hand to Maidie.

She looked to Gavin, but he turned on his heels and stomped
away. Maidie heard the tanist’s heavy footfalls walking toward the keep’s outer
door. The door slammed with a jar that shook three targes from the keep’s wall.

Andrew said, “Seems your escort left, Madam.”

“Aye, it seems he’s gone. Mayhap I misunderstood his intent.”
She didn’t know what to say to the chief. She wished to be allowed to retire to
her chamber. “I must see about Sven. ‘Tis his bedtime.”

“Nellie will see to Sven. Will you walk with me in the garden
then?” Andrew took her elbow and moved her toward the stairs without waiting
for an answer.

“Certainly,” was all she could manage.

He guided her to the stairwell and climbed the steps behind
her.

Maidie had no idea what to say to the chief. She felt his
closeness, smelled the manly odor of him, and heard his heavy breathing. They
reached the top and stepped into the dimly lit passage. A breath caught in her
throat as he moved to take her arm and walk beside her. Looking into his face,
she could see only the outline of the straight nose and deep-set eyes. He
opened her chamber door then stood aside for her to enter, saying naught while
she fetched the long, grey wool arisaid. He took the garment and placed it
around her, letting his hands linger on her shoulders. Maidie held her breath.
Her heart raced. The chief moved his hands, took her elbow, and led her from
the chamber.

When they returned to the great hall, the music played louder
and the dancers whirled more lively under the influence of ale, whisky, or
similar libations. Tavish and Davina danced with the other couples. Davina
stayed close to the young warrior. Tavish smiled at her but seemed reserved. He
spotted Maidie when she descended the stairs and made an attempt to break away
from Davina, but she held tightly to his fine form as they waltzed. Then Tavish
spotted Andrew when he emerged from the dark stairwell to stand beside Maidie.
The young warrior’s face fell, and he turned back to Davina.

 
The night air felt
cold on Maidie’s face as the couple emerged from the warm castle keep. The moon’s
silvery beam illuminated the bailey silhouetting a guard on the battlement.
Andrew moved her arm to encircle his and then led her to a walled enclosure not
far from the door they had exited. Maidie’s heart beat faster. They stepped
through the arched opening in the wall to a moonlit garden emanating with a
heady smell of roses mixed with herbs. Maidie recognized the odor of several of
the herbs growing within the enclosure. Maybe she would be able to replenish
her healing remedies here in the castle garden. She would ask the chief.