Heart of the Highlands: The Beast (Protectors of the Crown Book 1) (8 page)

“Is whining and complaining all ye do? Tis no wonder why yer father could only marry ye off to that bastard son of a whore, Chisholm,” Rylan muttered as he walked off.

Keira scowled but remained silent. Rylan was a mean bastard but she would not cower to him. It was clear he, for whatever God awful reason, was stuck in his selfish ways. How could she expect him to care even a little for her?

“Is he always like that?” she asked, nodding her head toward Rylan.

“Rylan? Aye! Ye caught him on a good day,” Leland replied.

“Leland, I thought ye were attending the horses?” Ian stated, staring him down until Leland did as he was told.

“Rylan is a good mon, though he may not always be too friendly. He is wanted by the English,” Ian explained.

“Is he no’ afraid that someone will turn him over to the English?”

“Nay! No true Scot would ever surrender their ow
n
,
n
o matter how wicked a mon may be. They’d rather slice him through instead. I think any Scot would rather die at the hands of their own than the bloody English.”

“Is Rylan yer brother?”

“Nay, but we are like brothers.”

“What do ye mean?”

“When my father was on a hunt wit’ his men, they came across Rylan as a wee lad in the woods. He had no home. No family. One of my father’s officers, Aldrich Arnett took him in, raised him as his own. He taught Rylan how to be a warrior and direct his anger through his sword.”

“What happened to his family?”

“Nobody knows. I dinna e’en think Rylan knows who his parents are and he dunna talk about his past.”  

“I dinna think he likes me verra much.”

“Dinna mind him, lass. Rylan is a hard mon but he means well.”

Keira folded her hands in front of her and looked down. This was the first time he had spoken to her in over an hour and now she did not know what to say.

“By the way, I meant to thank ye, for saving me.”

“I was no’ saving ye any more than I was ridding the world of another bastard traitor. They are like weeds in these parts.
But
…yer welcome.”

“These MacKenzies ye spoke of, do ye know them well?”

“Aye. Laird MacKenzie is a good mon. Ye will be safe there. The road to Linlithgow is a dangerous one. Ye can stay at Castle Leod until I return. When I do, I will keep my promise and return ye to yer family. The MacKenzie’s are good people and a good clan. I have no doubt they will take good care of ye.”

“If ye think it is fer the best, I will no’ argue.”

“Dinna worry lass. Everything will be fine,” Ian reassured her.

If only things were fine
! But Keira knew that things were only going to get worse.

Chapter 9

From across the river, Castle Leod could be seen in the distance; blurred by the thick summer haze. Staring out at the castle, Ian hesitated in his decision to leave Keira behind. The only comfort was its high walls and fortified towers provided enough protection to satisfy Ian’s high standards.

He had faith in its inhabitants offering the same care and concern for her as he had. His hesitation came from the worry that Chisholm would find her. It would only be a matter of time until he and her father would start looking for her but Daniel MacKenzie, Laird of Castle Leod, was a good man, and he would keep her safe. Ian had met him on several occasions at court and knew that he was trustworthy. These days, there were not many men Ian could trust.

Peering up at intently, Keira asked, “Is that Castle Leod?”

Ian sensed her nervousness. Wanting to offer her comfort and ease her worry, he smiled.

“Aye, Lassie. Its Laird will take good care of ye while I am gone.”

“And will he send a missive to my father?”

“Aye. He will. I am sure of it.”

Keira gave him a soft smile; it broke his heart that he had to lie. Though in time her father would be made aware of her whereabouts, until Ian reached Linlithgow and revealed what he had learned, only then would Laird Sinclair be summoned.

The urgency to speak to James was driven by the fact that Ian knew an attack was imminent. It could have very well been Chisholm’s plan to steer Ian and his men away from the castle by sending them on a wild goose chase while Sinclair, a man no one had even considered dangerous, made his move. Though Linlithgow was well protected by the King’s guards, they would have no way knowing that Sinclair was involved. Gatherings of the nobles and Lairds were quite common at Linlithgow and it would be easy for any one of them to be a traitor, walk right in the front gates and kill the king themselves. That alone was the reason Ian felt it best to return to the castle but leaving Keira behind created a void within him that he could not explain.

He made a vow to protect her and felt that he was breaking that promise. He knew his guilt was partly due to what had happened to Sarah. Just the thought of her and his lack of judgment tore at him like a dagger ripping at his own flesh. He tried to convince himself that it was just his sense of honor and duty to care for the lass’s well-being but there was something else, a feeling perhaps, he could not explain. 

Ian glanced down at the timid lass. Her tender smile filled him with contentment. It was the first time he had seen her smile since he came upon her on the road; then again he was partially to blame for that. Her eyes glistened the way a child would at the sight of a sweet roll; glossy and full of joy. Ian wanted to smile in return but guilt weighed him down. If her father was tried and convicted of treason, he wondered if he would ever see that soft, beautiful smile again.

“When ye leave, will ye be gone long?”

“Are ye in that much of a hurry to get rid of me?” he teasingly asked.

“Nay! I only want to wish ye a safe journey.”

“I should be gone no more than two or three days.”

“Will ye be leaving straight away?” she asked.

Ian had not missed the strain in her voice. Had he not known better, he’d think the lass acted as if she did not want him to go. It had been a long time since he felt the sense of being wanted by someone. He grinned, but his smile vanished as quickly as it had come. No woman would ever want him again, and in good conscience he could not have her. He was a damaged, broken man. His heart now belonged only to Scotland.

“I shall be taking my men and leaving in the morning.”

~*~

As they entered the village, Keira watched the busy men and women tend to their duties. A few young lads were cleaning the animal pens, women were hauling armfuls of linens to be washed, and a few of the older men were hammering away replacing a damaged fence. The sight of these fine people reminded her of her own clansmen and made her miss them very much.

Keira let out a sigh. It would be only a matter of time before she would see them again, but patience was not one of her strongest qualities.

As they neared the keep, a young lad of roughly fifteen summers ran toward them. Grasping the bridle, he led the horse to a post near the trough.

“Good day, Sir. My name is Jacob. I would be more than happy to care for yer horse during yer visit.”

The lad was cheerful. That was a hopeful sign.

“Verra good lad, I’ll need ye to fetch the blacksmith as well. The horse has a hitch in his gait and will need re-shoeing. I leave in the morning. Have him ready by then.”

“Aye, Sir. I will make sure it is done in haste.”

“Good lad.”

Ian slid his leg over the side and slid down to the ground. Reaching up, he grabbed Keira by the waist and helped her down. As soon as her feet touched the ground, though, he immediately released her. Untying the saddle bags, he threw them over his shoulder and walked over to his men.

Ian spoke softly to his men, his expression serious, and Keira wonder what matter was so important it had to be discussed in private.

She thought with regret that it was a pity she was not as gifted as Alys when it came to reading lips. For hours, Alys would practice. Keira felt it was a result of too much time on her hands, but now she understood how the talent could prove to be useful. Though she was younger than Keira by two years, Alys had shown much wisdom for a lass of seventeen summers. She had so much more courage and bravery than Keira. Only now did Keira realize that her sister’s many follies and foolish ways had helped mold her into a strong woman. If only Keira had paid more attention to her as a sister and less than acting as a mother-figure, she might have picked up a few useful skills.

“My lady,” Ian said as he nodded his head, signaling he meant for her to follow him.

Keira stood tall, mustering her confidence, and followed the three MacKay men inside the large castle keep. As she stepped through the entrance, she was surprised to find that the castle was much smaller on the inside than it had appeared from outside. She followed along the narrow corridor toward the great hall.

As they reached the end of the hallway, they saw men and women already enjoying their evening meal. The tables were crowded with clan members and were full of trenchers containing food, but at the head table were several empty seats. It was odd for the Laird to not be in attendance during an evening meal.

Directly next to the middle seat at the head table sat a lovely, young, blonde woman. Her hair was up in loose curls that framed her slender face with soft waves. She wore jewels and a blue dress trimmed with gold lace. It was obvious by her position on the dais she was the Lady of the Keep.

Ian stepped forward, and all eyes followed him. Voices hushed, and Keira watched as men reached for the hilts of their swords as if they were preparing for battle. The atmosphere became uncomfortable and she shifted closer to Leland, praying these men would do them no harm.

The room was dark, with only a few tapered candles lit. Keira, however, was still able to make out the dark eyes that bore into Ian as he stepped forward, approaching the head table. They may have been a good clan as Ian suggested, but they surely were not a trusting bunch!

“Lady MacKenzie, it is always a pleasure to see ye,” Ian said, bowing his head.

“The pleasure is truly mine, Ian MacKay. I do hope you will be staying with us longer than your last visit,” she responded.

The velvety tone of Lady Mackenzie’s voice was as smooth as melted chocolate. As she spoke, Keira’s jaw fell open just enough for her to take in a sharp breath. She had not expected that the Lady of such an esteemed Highland clan would be French! Keira had never met a Frenchwoman and she was amazed by fluidity of their accents. It sounded beautiful, like a songbird singing for its mate.

“Nay my lady, I am only passing through. I have need to speak to yer Laird.”

“My husband is not here. He has taken off to the market in Aberdeen. We have had a good and profitable year. We do not expect him to return until tomorrow evening. But as always, you and your men are more than welcome to stay in the guest house.”

“Thank ye, my lady. As yer husband is no’ here. May I speak to ye in private?”

“But, of course,” she said as she stood from her chair and led Ian behind a closed door, with two of her guards following closely.

Keira looked up at Leland.

“Dinna fash, lass. Lady MacKenzie ‘tis a good woman.”

~*~

Ian stepped through the doorway into the Laird’s private chamber, following Lady MacKenzie. Her guards joined them. Ian took notice of the stack of letters on the desktop with broken seals. It took only seconds for him to recognize the king’s seal. There was one, however, with the seal still intact. It held the royal British seal and was set apart from the others sparking his curiosity.

“What is it you wish to speak to me about?”

“My Lady, I have a young lass traveling wit’ me. I found her on the road in enemy territory. I fear she is in danger, and I ask that she stay here wit’ ye until I return.”

“And how long do you plan to leave her here with us?”

“I will be gone only a few days. I have business near Edinburgh. She is far from her home and I have offered to provide her safe passage. But I have other pressing matters to tend to first.”

“I see. Well, as long as she is not any trouble, I would be more than happy to allow her to reside here for the time being. Now, where is this girl? I wish to meet her.”

As the guards and Lady MacKenzie turned, Ian quietly snatched the letter with the British royal seal and slipped it inside the inner pocket of his shirt. With a smile, he took Lady MacKenzie’s arm and escorted her from the chamber, then went in search of Keira and his men. Outside in the bailey, he found Keira standing in between Leland and Rylan who were conversing with one of Leod’s guards.

“My Lady, this is Lady Keira Sinclair,” Ian said as he introduced the two women.

“My Lady, tis a pleasure to meet ye,” Keira said, speaking softly as she gave a formal curtsy.

Lady MacKenzie politely smiled.

“Tis a pleasure, Mademoiselle. Good heavens, what are you wearing? Your dress is torn and you are soaked to the bone!”

Out of the corner of his eye, Ian saw Keira turn the color of wild strawberries in spring. Lowering her head, she hid her flushed appearance, which pulled at Ian’s heartstrings. She was such a bonny lass and had no reason to hide her beauty; no matter if she did look bedraggled from the journey. Had she worn a potato sack, she would still catch the eye of those she passed. Ian fought the urge to lift her head, reminding himself that to do so would probably embarrass her further.

“We traveled through a spot of rain,” he explained, hoping to save Keira from some embarrassment.

“Well, come, Dear. Let’s get you properly dressed and into something warm,” Lady MacKenzie suggested, holding her arm out to the lass.

Keira looked to Ian, her eyes full of wariness. Ian let out a breath.

“I will check on ye soon,” he assured her.

Keira gave him a soft smile and nodded. It was the second time now in one day she’d smiled at him. How he loved to see her smile. Beneath the worry, the politics, and the fear, Keira was a fine young woman. A woman whose heart any man would be lucky to possess. She was feisty, passionate, and had a way of driving a man crazy with the want of her. Ian felt tempted to forcefully grab her into his arms and press his lips against hers. But it was when she smiled that he felt completely undone. Unlike the many other women who had passed through his life, there was something about her that had him bewitched.

~*~

Keira followed Lady MacKenzie up three flights of stairs that led to a large solar. Inside was a large walk-in wardrobe, full of dresses made of fine fabrics in various colors; dresses far too fancy for everyday wear. These were dresses one would wear to court. Lady MacKenzie told her to pick one that she liked. If necessary, they could have it altered to fit. As Keira rifled through the gowns, she had a hard time finding a simple dress. Not wanting to take up too much of Lady MacKenzie’s time, Keira settled on a light gold-colored one.

The mantle of the dress was made of pure satin and its kirtle underneath was a smooth, white linen. It had a square neckline and flowers stitched along the trim. The sleeves fitted tightly almost to the elbow then hanging open, tapered such that they were wide at the wrists.

At the creaking of the door swinging open, an older maid stepped in.

“My Lady, there is a bath prepared for Mistress Sinclair.”

“Very well, Marguerite. Thank you.”

“Marguerite will help ye bathe,” Lady MacKenzie announced.

“Thank ye fer yer kindness, my Lady,” Keira said.

Keira followed Marguerite into the next room. The steam from the hot bath looked as welcoming as a warm bed. The water beckoned her. Her bones and legs ached from riding atop the horse for the past two days, and she was certain the moment she relaxed inside the hot tub she was sure to fall asleep.

Disrobing, Keira stepped into the bath water. Tension, stress and nervousness melted away. Marguerite lathered up the soap in her hands and began washing Keira’s hair. Between the scent of lavender and the fingers massaging her scalp she was in bliss. Had she been forced to endure one more day out in the woods, sleeping atop the hard ground, she was sure to have gone mad.