A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) (22 page)

Maidie turned her head away and gazed at the water running so
swiftly over the rocks. “Might I ride with Tavish then, and let Sven remain
with you? He’ll be greatly disappointed if he canna complete the journey on your
mount.”

Gavin took her chin, turning her face to his. “You dinna wish
to ride with me?”

“Nae. I canna do so.” His fingers burned a hot brand onto her face.

“Are you afraid of me, Madam?”

She looked into the hazel eyes pooling with emotion. “Aye.”

Gavin dropped his hand, but continued to stare at her. “Then you
shall ride with Erskin.” He took her hand. “Come, let me help you up the steep
bank. You wanna be able to grab tree branches with those hands.”

Maidie felt disappointment at not being allowed to see Tavish,
but understood the tanist’s reluctance. Tavish had been a loyal guard and made
no secret of his attraction for her, but she preferred to deal with him rather
than Gavin. And what of Erskin? Maidie knew nothing of the man, except of his
devotion to the tanist.

Gavin led Maidie to the steep bank of the burn, moving the
gorse aside for her to pass, and pushed her up to level ground. He grabbed the
overhanging tree limb, gave a swing, and stood on the bank facing her with an
impish smile.

Turning her hands over to inspect them once more, she broached
the subject of the day’s ride. “I feel certain, Sire, the heavy leather riding
gloves will allow my hands to handle the reins.”

Surprisingly, Gavin didn’t argue. “As you wish, Madam.”

The pair made their way back to camp with Gavin close on
Maidie’s heels. The tents were loaded on the cart and a pot of gruel boiled on
a small fire. Sven sat on the ground eating from a wooden bowl. He put the bowl
down, jumped to his feet and ran to Maidie, grabbing her around the middle.

“Where did you go, Mam? I was so verra worried.” He hugged her
tighter.

“I went to wash in the burn and fell on the rocks. No need to
worry. I’ll be fine.”

Sven released her and took one of her hands. “Do you have some
plantain salve with you?” The little physician already, Maidie thought.

“Nae, but I washed them well with the clear running water of
the burn.” She took her son’s hand. “Come, let’s eat. We’ll be leaving soon.”

The cook handed Maidie a bowl filled with the hot gruel and a
mug of ale. She sat next to Sven and ate the food, being careful of her cut, bruised
hands. She watched Gavin speak to Erskin, who turned to look at her and smile.
Maidie determined to ride her own horse, hurt hands or no. She would not ride
with Gavin or Erskin.

Maidie and Sven finished eating, giving their bowls to the
cook. Erskin brought her horse about, took her arisaid from the saddle, and
handed it to her with a broad grin. She wrapped the garment tightly around her
chilled shoulders. He helped her mount, letting his hands linger a trifle too
long about her waist. When settled in the saddle, Maidie took the heavy riding
gloves from a saddlebag then carefully pulled them on her hands. Even the smooth
leather of the gloves felt uncomfortable on the cuts and bruises. Erskin
settled Sven on his horse instead of the tanist’s. While arranging his saddlebags,
Gavin turned to look at her then shook his head.

Maidie wished for Tavish and approached Gavin before he rode
too far ahead. She asked one more time. “Sire, may I ride in back of the line
with Tavish? Sven can ride on my horse.”

“Nae, Madam Munro. Sven should remain with Erskin. I must ride
ahead to speak with the scouts.” Gavin swung a large leg over his mount, and
gave Maidie another hard look. “You’re to stay close to Erskin.” He slapped the
reins across Maithe’s broad neck, then trotted down the wide trail.

The morning’s ride was long with few breaks. Toward noon, when
the sun reached it’s zenith, Maidie prayed for the company to stop. Her hands
ached and burned until she could barely hold the reins. Hopefully, the call to
stop would come soon. Sven looked tired. She watched him riding on the warrior’s
destrier, first in front of the saddle and now in back. His head rested on the
man’s broad back. Maidie rode closer for a careful look at her son’s face. His
eyelashes fluttered on closed eyes. The freckles across his nose seemed large
on a pale face. She decided to speak to Erskin about stopping. He must be in
charge now that Gavin rode ahead.

Before she could speak, the hoof beats of several horses could
be heard coming down the road in front of them. Erskin held up his hand for the
company to stop. Orders were shouted down the line. Gavin, with three other
warriors rode into view at a gallop. He reined in his horse then dismounted.
The others followed suit. Maidie felt relief they would stop for awhile.

The tanist took sleepy Sven from the back of Erskin’s horse
and sat him on the ground under a large tree. Maidie joined him. A verdant glen
stretched to the east with a small bubbling burn running through its middle.
Men led their horses to water and drank themselves while the foot soldiers
lined the banks, drinking thirstily. Some soaked their sore bare feet in the
cool stream. Erskin caught Maidie by the waist and helped her from the horse.
She could barely walk on her cramped legs. She stood for a while looking at the
beautiful mountains with the snow-covered cap of Ben Wyvis looming above their
peaks. Maidie removed her arisaid to let the sun warm her face and neck. She
took off the leather riding gloves and observed her sore hands. The cuts looked
inflamed, the bruises a deep purple. She started for the stream when Sven
called to her. He jumped to his feet, ran toward her, and took one of her hands
in his. She pulled it away.

Sven looked at her with questions in his eyes. “Are your hands
real sore, Mam?”

“Aye. They pain me much.”

He took one of her hands in his small one, turned it over, and
examined the cuts and bruises. “You should ride with Erskin, Mam, and let me
ride with Sir Gavin.”

Maidie shook her head. “Nae. I’ll ride on my own mount.”

“I agree with the lad, Madam. You’ll ride with me after the
noon.” Gavin spoke from behind her. He came to stand beside Sven and took both
of her hands in his, turning them over to better observe the source of her
pain. “Your hands canna hold the reins of your horse now.” He looked down at
Sven. “You’ll continue with Erskin.”

Maidie had to inquire. “Sir, may I ride with Tavish?”

He smiled. “Nae, Madam. You’ll ride with me. Tavish must keep
order in the back of the line.”

Maidie’s heart fell. She took Sven’s hand. They walked to the
burn where she washed her sore hands in the cool water. Sven knelt beside the stream,
drank with his hands, then washed his face. Maidie unbuttoned her wool jacket
and splashed water over her face and neck. She let her hands soak in the
coolness. Wishing she had brought a water skin for drinking, she cupped her
least sore hand and took a small sip. A water skin appeared before her face.
She looked up to find Gavin standing over her.

“You may need this for drinking, Madam.” He knelt on one knee,
filled the skin with the cool water, then handed it to Maidie. He reached down
into the stream with a large hand and lapped the water, then splashed his face.

“Come, now.” Gavin reached for Maidie’s hand, pulling her up close
to him.

Maidie stared into the broad chest. He smelled of man and
horse. She realized her odor after three days of riding a horse with little
washing equaled his. He didn’t seem to mind, since he inched closer. She dared
not look into his hazel eyes. He released her hand, so she took Sven’s, and
helped the lad to his feet. The three walked back to the group of caterans taking
their noon meal under the trees. Maidie found a place to sit with Sven while
Gavin went over to his men, engaging them in conversation. The cook handed them
a wooden plate of bread, cheese, and dried meat. They hungrily ate the food
then drank from the skin.

The command to mount the horses came too soon. Maidie’s heart
beat in her throat with the dread of riding with Gavin. The tanist arranged a
small pillow in front of his saddle then took Maidie by the waist and lifted
her to sit upon it, while Erskin secured Sven on his horse in similar fashion. The
ride promised to be a long one. Gavin swung into the saddle and wrapped
muscular arms around her in order to hold the reins. The musky, manly smell of
him filled her nostrils as his eyes looked out over the top of her head. She
could feel the warmth of his breath in her hair. The ruby hanging around his
neck glinted in the corner of her eye when she turned to search for Sven. She
reached for the crucifix around her own. The reins of her horse were tied to
another warrior’s saddle. Hopefully, Gavin would let her ride her own mount
after a short time. Maidie relaxed. Her hands felt better from not holding the
reins. They rode swifter and well in front of the others. At one point, she
could not see Sven.

Maidie turned to speak, “Sire, I canna see Sven. Will you
please slow down so I can keep him in sight?”

“Nae, Madam. He is safe with Erskin. We must ride on to find a
place to camp. I’ll speak with the scouts before the camp is set up.” Gavin’s
arms tightened around her waist. He kicked the horse, which sped to a faster
trot.

Maidie bounced and rested her head on Gavin’s broad chest. She
could not see his face, but felt he must be pleased. They did not converse with
each other. He spoke to the men riding beside him on occasion about the coming
events. Maidie learned that Castle Chanonry would also be exchanged for Andrew’s
freedom.

The group finally stopped in a clearing. The main
sluagh
could be heard tramping down the road behind. Beyond the trees a vast expanse
of grassy field stretched toward the gates and curtain wall of Castle Lach.
Gavin and his men dismounted. He reached for Maidie and lifted her to the
ground. She did not look into his face, but straightened her skirt. He stood
over her for a moment, then turned quickly and spoke to the others.

“We’ll make camp here. Keep a watchful eye for the MacKenzies
and Camerons. They may have the notion to take Madam Munro without exchanging
the chief. I want her watched at all times.”

He smiled at her then left to give orders for setting up
camp.
 
Erskin rode into the clearing
with Sven behind his saddle. He quickly dismounted, helped Sven to the ground,
and spoke to Gavin. Erskin mounted his horse again, and rode down the long line
of the
sluagh
giving orders. The men
soon spread out among the trees surrounding the castle.

Maidie took Sven’s hand and led him to a grassy knoll to sit
while the camp was prepared. Their tent went up not far from the place where
they sat. The cook brought her a water skin. After drinking her fill of the
cool water, Maidie lay back on the grass with the long rays of afternoon sun
warming her face. She watched small clouds drift along in the sky making
unusual patterns. The gloaming would soon be upon them. Sven lay beside her,
put his head on her shoulder, and drifted into sleep. Maidie closed her eyes,
but could not sleep for the images of Andrew filling her mind. She would return
to her father’s house and never see him again. Hopefully on the morrow, during
the exchange, she could glimpse his face and fine form one last time. The
memory must last a lifetime.

Chapter Nineteen

Andrew rose when the first light of
dawn streamed through the small window. A rainbow with colors of red, blue, and
violet danced in a light beam filtering through the leaded glass. He rose
quickly to dress and prepare for the day. Colin rolled off the trundle. Andrew
hurriedly tended to his morning ablutions, and the men were fully dressed when
a knock sounded. Colin opened the door to let two servants with food and
another with clothing enter the chamber. The garments bore Munro colors. Great.
Their old clothing had been restored. Now Colin and he could dress properly for
the return home.

After breaking the fast, the two anxious men waited. Andrew
paced the floor. Colin stood beside the window.

“He’s armed with a crossbow this morn,” Colin said while
watching the guard on the ramparts.

“I reckon he’s ready for a fight if need be.” Andrew walked
over to the window to examine the warrior’s weapon. Another with a similar
crossbow appeared from around the corner of the curtain wall. All of the guards
on the ramparts probably held crossbows today. The MacKenzie seemed prepared
for trouble.

The noon meal came and the trays removed. Heat from the sun’s
rays shining through the window said the time to be mid-afternoon. Andrew paced
the floor, eager to know about the happenings outside his door. Finally, a
knock sounded. Colin quickly walked across the room and opened the door to
MacKenzie’s
gille
.

“Your presence is desired in Laird MacKenzie’s chambers,” the
young servant announced.

Andrew and Colin wasted no time following the
gille
to
the chamber Andrew visited the day before where the same four men with members
of their
luchd-taighe
waited. Hugh MacKenzie remained seated at the
large desk, as did the other gentlemen in their chairs.

The MacKenzie gave instructions. “Your brother waits with
Cameron’s daughter and her son in the copse of trees across the field. Your
daughter waits at the gate. You will take her and walk out to your brother with
an armed escort. The Cameron lass will walk thus from the other side of the
clearing.”

“Why all the fuss, MacKenzie? Do you think I’ll try to run
away?” Andrew couldn’t believe his ears. “Maidie is probably more than happy to
return home.”

“Don’t be so impertinent or you’ll stay in my dungeon instead
of going back to your lands.” The chief slammed his hand on the desk, sending
several articles flying to the floor. “’Tis no’ a secret to you that the lad is
the sole inheritor of Charles’s estate. You may wish to keep the estate in your
possession.”