Fraser 03 - Highland Homecoming (9 page)

Chapter 9

“Not so fast, Jayden. We’ll not barge in on the lass without giving her a fair warning.” Alasdair shoved his friend aside, opened the door a crack, and called out, “Lauren. I’ve returned from hunting and have brought someone with me. Are you ready for visitors?”

When she didn’t respond he forced the door open all the way, ducked his head beneath the frame, and entered the croft.

“Well, where is she?” Jayden asked as he pushed past Alasdair and stopped in the middle of the room. He planted his hands on his hips and surveyed their surroundings. “I can tell someone has been living here, but see no signs of a lass. Are you sure you dinna fall off your own horse and bump your head? If not, mayhap you were dreaming or imagined her.”

“She was asleep on that pallet when I left this morning.” He pointed to the empty bed.

“The pelts are askew and it appears someone slept there, but for all I know, it could have been you alone.” Jayden bit down on his lower lip, stifling a grin.

“The lass slept on the pallet and I stayed on the floor.” Alasdair spun around and his mouth gaped open. The pelt was no longer before the hearth. It was folded neatly and on the shelf. He was starting to question his own sanity.

Other than the rushes he used to cover the ground, the area in front of the hearth was bare. The trenchers and tankards they’d used for the evening meal were cleaned and stacked on a shelf beside the pile of pelts and plaid. He scratched his head. “She must have tidied up, but I have no idea where she could be. Mayhap she stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.”

Jayden slapped him on the back. “You said she had a bad ankle and couldna get around well enough tae ride. She canna have gone far. Unless—”

“She was here. I swear on St. Steven’s grave, there was a lass on that pallet when I left a few hours ago,” he snapped. He’d had enough of his friend’s cynical remarks, and there was no mistaking the patronizing tone in Jayden’s voice.

Jayden shrugged. “We saw no sign of her when we arrived, mayhap she went out back for some reason.”

“I dinna know why she’d venture out, but you might be right.” He moved with stealth to the back door of the croft and yanked it open. “Lauren! Where are you at, lass?” A mix of anger and worry churned in his belly. Where had she gone? Had she wandered off and gotten lost, or had someone abducted her?

“Lauren,” he shouted, but silence greeted him.

“You’re wasting your breath, Alasdair. Either she’s gone or never existed in the first place. I, for one, am parched. Come inside and join me in a drink. If we wish tae reach Sinclair Castle afore nightfall, we canna tarry here too much longer.”

Scowling, Alasdair faced his grinning friend. With his hands clenched, he took a step in Jayden’s direction. “I’d get that smirk off your face if you value your life. Something is amiss. Otherwise, she’d be here. Mayhap someone found out she was here and absconded with her.” He slammed his fist against the wall. “Mo crèche! I should never have left her alone.” He stormed past Jayden, who was still standing in the doorway.

“Dinna blame yourself for something you couldna foresee.” Jayden retrieved two tankards from the shelf, then uncapped the wineskin hanging at his side. “Calm down, man, and have a drink.” He poured some whisky into each vessels, then handed one to Alasdair. “If she were here, and I’m not saying she was,” he quickly added, “Mayhap she just decided it was time tae leave. You are out here in the middle of nowhere. There isna a croft or village for miles. The chance that someone came along is slim. I’m sure she just remembered where she belonged and figured her family would be worried. I doubt she’s met with foul play.”

“I came along so that destroys your theory.” Alasdair downed the content of the tankard, then slammed it on the table, knocking over the cup of flowers in the process. He scooped up one of the delicate blossoms, brought it to his nose, then crushed it in his fist. “She was here and my gut tells me she is in danger.”

Jayden filled the tankards again. “Have some more whisky, then I’ll help you search the area around the croft if it will make you feel better.”

“I’ve had enough of your palver,” Alasdair snapped as he fastened a baldric on his back, then sheathed his sword. He tucked a dirk in his boot and one in the leather casing at his side. “You can stay here and get drunk if you want, but I’m going tae find Lauren.”

Jayden finished his drink and followed Alasdair out the door. “I’m coming with you. I want tae meet this mystery woman you’ve conjured up.”

A search of the area turned up nothing. There was no sign of Lauren, and since the ground around the croft was primarily rock and fine stone, there were no footprints or hoof marks to follow.

His voice hoarse from calling her name, Alasdair returned to the cottage a short time later, tossed his sword on the table, then sat hard on the wooden stool. He dropped his head into his hands and released a heavy sigh of frustration. Jayden might be right and the lass had remembered who she was and decided to go home. But she could have waited until he returned and told him she was leaving. He’d have seen her safely returned to her family and then gone on to Sinclair Castle. He never wanted to be saddled with her care in the first place, so should be glad to be rid of her. Yet he could not shake the feeling she was in some sort of trouble.

“We’ve covered the area around the croft and there is no sign of your lass. Best you forget about her and we prepare tae head home ourselves.” Jayden pulled up a stool and sat on the opposite side of the table.

“I canna leave until I find her.”

“I understand your concern, but she’s nowhere tae be found. I’m not convinced she was here tae begin with, but I canna tarry here much longer. Either you come with me or I leave without you. The choice is yours. My da is expecting me back afore nightfall and I dinna want tae deal with his wrath if I’m late.”

“How is your da? I was so caught up in my own problem that I dinna ask about your kin. I hope they are well.”

Jayden lowered his head and crossed himself. “The war with England has taken its toll on our clan as it has many others in the Highlands. I lost my two older brothers at Falkirk and my younger brother fell at Stirling Bridge. He died a sennight later. He lost an arm in battle and never recovered from the poison that ravaged his body.”

“I’m sorry. So you are the only surviving son?”

Jayden nodded and poured what was left of the whisky into their cups. “Aye. I am the last and will sit as laird when my da passes. Not something I ever expected being the third son, but life doesna always turn out as planned.”

“What of your mam and sister? How do they fare?”

“They’re gone as well. My da is convinced my mother perished of a broken heart. Losing three sons was too much for her tae bear. Mam became ill after Torun succumbed tae his wounds and passed a fortnight later.”

“And your sister?”

Jayden lowered his head and his expression grew sullen. “Edina died recently as well.”

“I’m sorry.” Alasdair patted his friend on the shoulder. How did it happen?” The image of Jayden’s younger sister came to mind. A homely lass with more freckles than he could count.

“It happened while she was on a journey home from the Orkneys. She went there to foster with my aunt and her husband after our mother’s death. Da bid her return, tae marry Duncan Sutherland so he blames himself.”

“She was a young bairn when we used to visit. But I do recall a scrawny lass with stringy, yellow hair, brown eyes that seemed too large for her face, and a toothless grin. She followed us everywhere we went and was quite a pest.”

“That she was. But I’d do anything to have her back and relive those days.” Jayden stared at the drink in his hand and swirled the whisky in his tankard, rather than imbibing.

Alasdair immediately regretted his comments about Edina and wished he could take back the words. He studied his friend’s downtrodden expression. Jayden had lost many members of his family in a short period of time. He could understand his friend’s grief, given he’d lost two brothers and both his parents, too. But he’d callously spoken ill of the dead. “Forgive me. I dinna mean what I said about your sister.”

“You spoke the truth.” Jayden smiled. “She was not a comely bairn and was always under foot. However, she grew tae be quite a beauty and my closest confidant. Edina could outride most men and her talent with a bow and blade were unheard of for a woman. I guess growing up with four unruly brothers spawned her competitive spirit.”

“You must miss her verra much.”

“Aye.” Jayden took a sip of his drink. “She was verra fond of you as bairn. She oft told me she was going to marry you when she grew up. Mayhap you dinna know this, but our fathers discussed the possibility of seeing the two of you betrothed on more than one occasion.”

Alasdair choked on his whisky, sputtered, and coughed to clear his throat. “I find that hard tae believe. I wasna a good-looking lad nor was I the eldest son.”

Jayden shrugged. “I only know what my da told me. But we dinna have to worry about that now she is gone.” He bowed his head and crossed himself. “May she rest in peace.”

“I lost my older and youngest brothers, along with both my parents at the hands of the English swine so I understand your loss.” Alasdair cupped Jayden’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

“If you are oldest surviving son, why are you not laird of Clan Fraser? I heard your younger Brother Connor was chief.”

“Aye, I believed Connor was better suited tae lead than I was at the time. The clan elders offered me the seat in my father’s place, but in the end it was Connor who accepted the title.”

“You’re right. A lot has changed in twelve summers.” Jayden raised his tankard in the air, then finished his drink. “This was not the happy reunion I had planned. Drink up and we can be on our way. I promise once we get tae Sinclair Castle there will be plenty of food and wine, enough tae take your mind off your mystery lass.”

“You go on ahead. I’m going tae search the woods around the croft again and wait until morning, in case she comes back. If she doesna return, I’ll join you on the morrow.”

Jayden stood and stretched. “Suit yourself, but I think it a fool’s errand.” He extended his arm in Alasdair’s direction. “Dinna wait too long. I’ll have Cook prepare a feast for your arrival.”

Alasdair rose and grasped his friend’s forearm, giving it a hardy shake. “Be sure and have two places saved at the table. I plan tae have the lass with me.”

Jayden shook his head and exited the croft, leaving Alasdair very much alone.

Alasdair took another sip of whisky, but he’d not sit idly by and wait for her to return. He retrieved his sword and prepared to resume the search. He’d scour every inch of the
woods and area around the croft until he found her.

She crouched in the bushes at the edge of the woods. Her legs cramped and she shivered from sitting on the damp ground, but she had to remain hidden. Her heart hammered against her ribs and she’d suppressed the urge to sneeze more than once. But she had to remain perfectly still. She’d overheard Alasdair and Jayden talking, and if she could hold out until morning, Alasdair would give up the search and leave. She’d then have time to decide her next move. Returning to her clan was not what she intended to do. Her goal was to remain hidden until Alasdair left. If he found her, he’d expect an explanation for her actions. The fact that she’d withheld the truth about her identity and her injuries would come to light. Why had she kept her dreams a secret? She wished now she’d taken the risk and explained all she’d remembered. Now if he found out the truth, he would never trust her again.

Seeing Jayden had prompted an array of emotions she didn’t want to deal with. They had always been close and she could share her innermost thoughts without fear of ridicule. She missed him very much while living with her aunt. The one good thing, mayhap the only good thing, about her return to the mainland was a reunion with her brother. But the fact that he’d sided with his father on the matter of her marriage to Duncan Sutherland, knowing full well she’d object, was a hard blow to handle.

She’d escaped the confines of the croft just in time to avoid discovery and she silently thanked the Almighty for boons rendered. If she managed to get away, she could restart her life. One in a priory was not entirely out of the question. At least if she took her vows, she’d not be forced to marry a man she dinna love. If she was found and returned to her clan, duty dictated she go along with her father’s wishes. Out of respect for her sire, she had no intention of disgracing him or her people.

But they would have to find her first.

Her legs were asleep and she wanted to stretch them, but any movement of the bushes could give away her hiding place, so she had no choice but to persevere. Her stomach growled and her lips were parched, but those basic needs were also things she had to put out of her mind until Alasdair was gone and she could return to the croft.

“Lauren!” His deep voice echoed in the clearing and seemed to bounce off the cliffs. Her heart sank at the thought of him spending fruitless hours searching for her, but to no avail. The fact that he was worried about her safety was touching, but she could not give in to the temptation to ease his mind by letting him know she was safe.

She peered through the thick bracken, shocked to see his trew-clad legs only an arm’s length from her hiding spot. Did he know she was here? She closed her eyes and offered up another silent prayer. When she opened them again and saw him trotting into the woods, she blew out a ragged breath.

He’d been too close for comfort and the slightest movement or noise would have alerted him to her presence. Why didn’t he just give up and leave with Jayden?

Thorns pricked her skin and one of the bushes caused her eyes and nose to itch. She brought her hand up to stifle a sneeze, but she was not able to stop it.

Had he heard her? Her heart raced when he reappeared in the clearing beside the croft. Alasdair craned his neck, peering in all directions, then stalked toward her. She chomped down on her lower lip and waited with bated breath for him to pounce.