A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) (23 page)

Andrew shook his head. “So you want the estate in your
possession. Is that it, MacKenzie? Is that the true reason Maidie will wed your
son?”

“Umph!” The chief snorted and then rose to walk out of the door
with the others following.

Andrew and Colin walked behind the group surrounded by armed
guards. They descended the spiral stairs, crossed the great hall, and left the
keep. Andrew’s heart raced at the thought of returning to Fàrdach Castle and
his people. Soon this nightmare would be over. He turned to Colin. The lad
smiled broadly with white teeth gleaming. Andrew returned the bright smile. He
nudged Colin with an elbow but remained quiet, not wanting to cause the guards angst
during the exchange. He only dreaded to see Maidie and Sven walking toward the
castle.

The group reached the gate. Tara stood with her maidservants
and the nanny. She held Briana. Saints above, he hated taking the child out of
her mother’s arms. MacKenzie took his place beside Tara, then plucked the child
from her. Tara began to cry with unabashed tears streaming down her face.
Fraser took her into his arms and held her tightly. She buried her face into
her father’s chest, sobbing.

Scara and Crag stood in the bailey surrounded by heavily armed
mounted warriors, their reins held by two of the men. Andrew noticed more
guards on the ramparts with crossbows, as he expected. The gates swung open.
The group of mounted warriors surrounded Andrew and Colin.

Hugh MacKenzie stepped forward and handed Briana to Andrew.
Tara turned her face to him with red, moist eyes, but said naught. His heart
broke for her. She turned into her father’s chest again, and wailed. Briana
reached for her mother with tears streaming from her eyes and small whining
sounds coming from her throat. Andrew wished he could help Tara, say something
reassuring to her, but a mounted guard nudged him forward. He walked through
the gates clutching Briana with Colin at his side. Briana tried to flay her
arms and turn to her mother, but Andrew strengthened his hold.

A disturbing scream, causing his blood to run cold, came from
the gate behind him. He tried to turn around, but the guard nudged him onward
with his horse. He heard Tara scream, “Take me with you! Take me with you!”
Then silence. The MacKenzie or her father quited the screams.

The wee lass tried to turn to see her mother, but Andrew
thought it best to keep her from viewing the scene behind them, so he held her
tighter.
God in Heaven, help this child and her mither. Send Your loving
grace to help both through this time of parting and separation.

Andrew spotted Maidie and Sven walking toward him with a group
of mounted men in Munro colors and the Munro crest on their shields. He could
not have been happier to see a group of warriors as he was at the moment. He
spotted a large number of men ahorse and Gavin waiting in the copse of trees
not far away. A feeling of pride and relief washed through Andrew.

The two groups of mounted warriors met. Tavish came forward
and saluted his chief by pumping his right fisted hand into the air. Andrew
returned the salute then turned his attention to the source of his heartache,
Maidie and Sven. Tavish handed a rolled parchment to a MacKenzie warrior.
Andrew didn’t miss the exchange, and instantly knew what the parchment
contained—the deed to Castle Chanonry. So the MacKenzie finally bested
the Munro and took ownership of the coveted castle. Several hot battles had
been fought over the estate with many lives lost. Curse Hugh MacKenzie. At that
moment, Andrew determined to get Maidie and the castle back into his
possession.

He spoke to the leader of the MacKenzie warriors. “I’ll have a
word with Madam Munro.” The man nodded an affirmative.

Briana made a distressful noise when he handed her to Colin.
Having no way to comfort the lassie, he kissed the small hand. She buried her
head on Colin’s shoulder.

Andrew turned to Maidie. “That is my daughter. She is four
years and canna hear nor speak. She will live with me at Fàrdach Castle. Her mither
is betrothed to the MacKenzie and will wed soon.” He decided not to mention the
MacKenzie’s son. Maidie would find out soon enough. Sven stood quietly beside
her. The chief squatted down and spoke to the lad. “Take care of your mither. You
must be a brave lad now.”

Sven smiled. “Aye. I’ll take good care of, Mam.”

Andrew stood. He must tell Maidie how he felt. He took her
chin into his hands and looked into azure eyes. First, he kissed the tip of her
nose, then a freckle on both rosy cheeks, and at last he found her mouth with
fervor. Maidie wrapped her arms around his neck while he embraced her, pulling
her closer. She returned his kiss much to his amazement. Her moist lips pressed
firmly against his. His lips left hers, planting kisses on her eyelids, around
her face, down her neck, and then on her mouth once more. She tasted sweet like
heather ale and smelled of roses. His heart ached with love for the lass. How
could he let her go, now that he had just found her?

He lifted his head. She sank into his chest. “I love you,
Maidie. With all my heart, I love you.” He said it with little difficulty, because
his heart brimmed with a deep love he had never before experienced.

“I pledge my fealty and my heart to you, Laird Andrew Munro.
With all my heart I love you,” she answered with her head tucked under his
chin.

He pushed away to look into her eyes. “I’ll come for you. No
matter where you are.”

“I will be waiting.” Her eyes reflected the deep emotions of
her heart like the black water of Cromarty Firth reflected the blue sky above.

“Come on, Munro, you’ve done enough love making. Time to get
on with this exchange,” the leader of the guard commanded and nudged Andrew
with his mount.

Stumbling, he released Maidie. The leader kept nudging him on.
He looked back, but Maidie and Sven were surrounded by MacKenzie warriors and
he could not see her. He took Briana from Colin as they walked to the grove
where Gavin waited. Andrew pumped his fisted right arm into the air, calling
out the Munro battle cry, “
Caisteal Fàrdach A Chaoidh
.” An embrace from
his brother with whoops, hollers, and returns of the war cry from his warriors
followed.

The mounted guard left Scara and Crag then turned back to the
castle. Maidie and Sven had reached the gates. His men turned to ride back, and
he watched the love of his life walk into the bailey of Castle Lach.
God,
take care of Maidie and the lad. Help me get her back
.

“Brother, good to have you back among us,” Gavin said. “Who is
this lovely lass?” He reached for one of Briana’s hands, but she pulled it
back, made a guttural sound, and buried her wee, brunette head on Andrew’s
shoulder.

“This is my daughter,” Andrew answered. He studied Gavin’s
face when his brother’s heavy russet brows lifted in question. “Come, let’s
find a quieter place to talk.”

Andrew led the way through his men, who gathered around with
warm welcomes. They shouted greetings, patted him on the back, and gave war
whoops. Gavin followed. Colin brought the two horses along. All seemed well,
except for the heaviness in Andrew’s heart from having to part with Maidie, but
a plan turned over and over in his mind. Gavin and he had a lot to discuss
before nightfall. The men reached the camp. A tent still stood not far from the
fire.

“Is that Maidie’s tent?” he asked pointing in the direction of
the canvas shelter.

“Aye, Brother. I can have the men start taking the tents down
and breaking camp now that you’re safe among us.” Gavin gave Andrew another
slap on the back. “I’m anxious to hear about this wee lassie. Should we talk
first, or break camp and make for Fàrdach Castle?”

Andrew searched Gavin’s face over Briana’s head. “This one’s
story is too long to tell now. Besides, I have a need to talk with you in
private. Let’s go inside the tent.”

“Should we wait to break camp then?”

“Nae, I wish nae suspicion on the part of MacKenzie about our
plans. Send riders to the camps and have the men begin packing to move out at
first light.”

Gavin nodded his head and turned to carry out the orders. Briana
gave a small cry, lifting her head from Andrew’s shoulder. He smoothed the
silky dark hair and planted a kiss on her forehead. Never had his heart been so
completely captured by a female in such a short length of time. He walked with
his daughter to Maidie’s tent, opened the flap, and stood taking in the sight
and smell of it. Her scent lingered still. He imagined her cuddling next to
Sven in slumber and wished he were the one so close. Andrew lay Briana down on
the fur robe then sat beside her. She climbed to his lap, put small arms around
his neck, and hung on.

“You must let me go, Little One. You canna hang on my neck
forever.” He removed Briana’s arms and sat her back on the rug.

She whimpered, covering her face with her hands. The fierce
chief of Clan Munro took the child into his lap once more. He had no heart for
making his daughter cry at the moment. She turned her pretty face to his and
smiled.

“You’re a wee fake, Briana,” he scolded. “I can see you’ve
learned to get your way early in this life.” He sighed. “I suppose your mither
could tell you nae about anything. I ken you’re frightened or we would begin
remedying the matter.”

Briana rested her head on his shoulder. Andrew sat on the fur
robe with his daughter and formed plans in his mind until his brother returned.

Gavin entered the tent and stood above Andrew watching him
with Briana. “Seems the wee lassie has captured your heart, Brother. You canna
put her down.”

Andrew stood to face his brother. “She neither hears nor
speaks. I learned of her two days ago while prisoner in Castle Lach. Tara
deliberately dinna tell me about her, knowing I would come to fetch my
daughter.”

“Seems she let her go now.” Gavin’s eyes searched Andrew’s.

“Aye, only because she’s betrothed to Hugh MacKenzie and the
mon wanna let her keep Briana. Tara is now thinking more of herself than her
child. After Gregor’s death, she had no means of support except her parents,
and Bryson is short of cash. He gambles a lot, I’m told. So, Fraser arranged
the marriage between Tara and MacKenzie.”

“And you get the daughter,” Gavin added. “Tell me, Chief, are you
happy or sad about Tara’s marriage?”

“I dinna care about Tara’s marriage, but I do care about this
wee lass in my arms. She’ll stay with me, now, that I ken of her, and Tara will
no’ have her back.” Andrew raised a brow for emphasis.

“So what are the plans you wish to talk about?”

“I’m going back into the castle for Maidie and Sven. Tonight.”
Andrew watched the shock register on Gavin’s face.

“Did I hear you right, Brother, or am I going deaf like the
lassie?”

“You heard right. I ken a way to get in from the woods on the
east side of the wall. Tara told me about a secret passage. She wanted to
escape through a tunnel that leads from MacKenzie’s chamber to the trees. I
would have naught of her escape, but I’m sure I can find the tunnel and get
Maidie out.”

Gavin shook his head. “You would risk your life for the woman?”

“Aye. I’ll risk my life for her. ‘Tis no’ a life without her
anyway.”

“You have your daughter to think of now. What will happen to her
if you die?” Gavin pointed to Briana.

“You’ll take her to Fàrdach Castle and see she’s properly
tended. Nellie will make a fine nanny for this wee one.” Andrew smiled at Gavin’s
dismay. “Be no’ dismayed, Brother. My heart burns for Maidie. I can do this.”

Chapter Twenty

Andrew held Briana, fed her, and made
her comfortable in Maidie’s tent. His heart nearly burst when he pulled back
the fur robe and the smell of roses wafted to his nostrils. The image of freckles
dotting across a pretty nose then a rosy cheek filled his mind. Blue eyes gazed
at him with red lips parting in a smile. Swallowing a large lump, he bent to
give his sleepy daughter a gentle kiss on the forehead. He brushed back dark,
curly locks from the small face and stroked the velvet skin of her cheek with
his thumb. A little jewel she was. Dark eyelashes fluttered open as she gazed
at him. A smile of recognition crossed the sweet mouth before the lashes closed
in sleep.

He told Tavish to watch Briana, then joined Gavin beside the
fire. The heady aroma of Cook’s large pot of stew caused his stomach to growl.
The good man handed him a wooden bowl filled to the brim.

Andrew spoke between mouthfuls. “I’ll be taking Tavish and
Colin with me.”

“Brother, I have enough men to besiege the castle. No need for
you to take this risk.” Gavin threw a stick on the fire.

“My mind is set. I’ll take the risk. They wanna expect such,
nor be watching.” Andrew swallowed a large mouthful of stew then washed it down
with a gulp of ale.

“I ken your strong head when your mind is made up. No changing
it.” Gavin met Andrew’s eyes. “Just make sure the woman is worth the risk. You
have a lot to lose here.”

Andrew nodded. “Aye, she’s worth the risk.”

“Then go, but I wanna give my blessing. I will be praying I
don’t see your head on a spike at the castle gate come morn.”

“Will you care for Briana while I’m gone? She will be
frightened to awake in a strange place.”

“Aye. Cook and I’ll watch her. The mon has ten wee ones of his
own, so he kens the way of bairns.”

Andrew didn’t answer but finished the bowl of stew then rose
to speak to Tavish and Colin. The three men discussed plans for the night.
Colin had seen the outer room of Hugh MacKenzie’s chamber, so they filled
Tavish in on the layout of the castle. They would take a dirk and pistol tucked
inside their wide leather belts, with a broadsword sheathed on their waist.
Andrew looked at the night sky. The moon shone through sparse clouds lighting
the forest floor with an eerie glow between shadowed trees. They would use no
torch to make their way through the woods. Samhain was fast approaching. An
involuntary shiver coursed down Andrew’s spine as he thought about the spirits
roaming through the woods and inhabiting each tree. Did the ghostly light send
an omen of what must come this night?