Highland Seer (17 page)

Donal clenched his teeth against the anger consuming him, sick at the thought of Ellie giving in to the MacDuff. He fought it down. She didn’t need his anger right now. She needed his help. “Nay. Calm yerself, lass.” He reached for her but she paced away from him, still counting her troubles. “’Tis too soon to think like that. He’s done this to force yer hand, Ellie. To make ye think no treaty can protect ye if he can get into yer glen to do damage like this.” He grasped her arms when she neared him again and pulled her around to face him. His heart squeezed at the determined frown on her face. “But that’s about to change, lass. The wagons will go with Lathans in escort as soon as the pass opens. Ye ken that. They’ll go through.” He brushed a windblown strand of ebony hair out of her silver eyes. “There will be Lathans here, and men from treaty clans. This willna happen again.”

“It canna. My people wouldna survive it. My only option to save them would be to submit to Lachlan’s desires.”

Donal’s gut roiled at the thought of Ellie in Lachlan MacDuff’s arms. “Dinna speak of it, lass. It willna come to that.”

Ellie leaned into him.

He wrapped her in his arms, suddenly fierce in his determination to hold her safe from harm.

Chapter 11

Three days later, Donal awoke to bright sunlight streaming in the window of his bedchamber. Good, the snow had stopped. A few hours of this and maybe that infernal pass would open up. Not that it made a difference to him. He would not leave. But it did matter to Ellie. With the damage done to the distillery, the MacKyries were in even more trouble than when the Lathans arrived.

They’d finished setting the distillery to rights, though it was still airing out. True to his word, two of MacDuff’s men had arrived in time to help finish sorting salvage from unusable bits of staves, and to assist with the washing down with clean snow that Donal hoped would help clear the spilled spirits from the interior.

MacDuff and his men had behaved since the destruction at the distillery had been discovered. Since then, they’d kept to themselves for the most part, though Donal had seen some of MacDuff’s men in conversation with Sawney, which didn’t bother him since they were likely discussing their accommodations. But he’d also seen them with Micheil, which did bother him. What interest did Ellie’s closest friend have with the MacDuffs?

Ellie had spent a little time with the MacDuff which seemed to please him. But Donal knew her real purpose was not to mend fences, as the MacDuff likely thought, but to see if he’d slip up and admit to being involved with the damage to the distillery. Donal expected he’d be too crafty to blunder like that.

At least she hadn’t mentioned any more dreams. Perhaps the MacDuff was done with mischief for a while, having delivered his message at the distillery.

Donal made is way down to the hall to break his fast. The rest of the Lathan contingent arrived as he ate. By the time he finished, the MacDuff strode in with his men.

Donal saw them looking up at the sunlight streaming through the hall’s upper windows before they settled themselves at a far table and began a low-voiced conversation. He couldn’t make out what they were saying, but he hoped they were discussing travel plans. Would they go? Or would they stay and try to make trouble? Or more trouble than they already had?

Ellie entered the hall with Micheil. She looked tired, distracted. Ever since the attack on the distillery, the worry lines between her brows had deepened. Donal heard her mention whisky and wagons as she pointed to the windows.

As they moved nearer to where the Lathans sat, he also heard Micheil’s answer.

“Aye, if the pass is clear, we can take the wagons out again. We’ll only be a week or so late in deliveries. Most of the private buyers willna mind, but the pubs and inns may be runnin’ short by now and eager for our arrival.”

“True,” Ellie replied, lifting a hand to greet the Lathans as she and Micheil passed to take seats at a nearby table. “But I worry the bandits who attacked our wagons are still out there. Ye’ll be no more able to fight them off by yerselves than ye were the last time. Ye still need an escort.”

Donal grimaced. So Micheil was still determined that the MacKyries do everything for themselves? That was foolish, though he doubted Micheil would agree, even though the proof approached.

The MacDuff walked up to Ellie’s table as she mentioned an escort. “I’d be happy to have my men escort yer wagons,” he offered. “They can ride with them as far as the first village. That should get them out of reach of the bandits who attacked them the last time.”

Ellie turned slowly in her seat to regard the MacDuff. Surely she wasn’t considering his offer? She cocked an eyebrow at the man looming over her, holding his gaze for a moment.

“Thank ye, Lachlan, but that willna be necessary.” Her smile looked forced. “MacKyries can take care of themselves. And look,” Ellie continued, gesturing to the windows at the top of the hall, “the sun is shining. I’m told ’tis a warm and windy day, perfect for melting snow. I think ’tis time ye found yer way home. The pass will surely clear enough by the time ye get there for yer horses to get through.”

“Lass, if ye could take care of yer clan, ye’d still be makin’ MacKyrie whisky.”

Donal tensed. Jamie, beside him, leaned forward but made no other move.

Ellie gasped. But somehow, she kept her head. “I’ll say it again, Lachlan. We willna require MacDuff assistance.” She rose to her feet and lifted her chin. “Now, or in the future.”

Donal held his breath. Micheil rose beside her, a crease marring his forehead. Ach, she’d surprised even him, openly defying the MacDuff.

The MacDuff got red in the face, but he didn’t charge forward as Donal had feared. He merely spoke. “Dinna be so sure, Laird MacKyrie.”

“I am quite sure, Laird MacDuff.”

The MacDuff planted his fists on the tabletop and leaned toward Ellie. Donal gathered himself, prepared defend her. “Our day is coming, lass, yers and mine.”

Ellie blanched but stood her ground. “Laird MacDuff, please leave MacKyrie, and take yer men with ye.”

The MacDuff cut a glance toward the Lathans, then growled low in his throat, spun on his heel and waved to his men as he stalked toward them. “Get yer gear. We’re leaving.”

His men scrambled to their feet, leaving their food untouched, and hurried out of the hall, MacDuff a few paces behind them.

Ellie’s shoulders slumped. Then she straightened and heaved a breath.

“We darena waste a moment,” she announced to the hall, then turned to two of the stablehands who’d been eating until the tension between the lairds got as thick as their porritch. “Lads, see their horses brought out right away. We’ll bid our guests farewell as they leave the keep. They’ll be outside in a moment or two.”

Two lads exited the hall at a run, carrying the laird’s orders to the stable master.

Then her gaze fell on the Lathans. Jamie tipped his head, but Donal merely held her gaze, debating whether what she’d done was brave or foolish. As laird, she had the right to order the MacDuff from her hall, though angering him may not have been the wisest move. But whatever she read in his lack of expression must have steadied her, for she lifted a shoulder in a rueful shrug.

“Please, finish yer breakfast. I’m sure this will only take a few minutes.” Then Ellie moved away from the table. Micheil took her arm and they exited the hall.

“Let’s keep an eye on the MacDuff until he’s out of the gates,” Donal said. “I dinna trust him to go quietly.”

“I think she just told us she doesna want us out there,” Jamie said.

“I didna hear that. Did ye, lads?”

Donal stood to follow them. For once, Jamie stood, too. “Let’s no’ start any trouble, aye? Let them leave. ’Tis what Ellie wants.”

Donal grimaced his answer and moved to the door.

The other Lathans joined them as they stepped out into the bailey, where Ellie and Micheil watched the MacDuffs begin strapping their gear onto their horses. The laird’s warhorse pranced and bucked as a groom led him out. The MacDuff took the reins from the stablehand, yanked the horse’s head down and swatted the soft nose with his fist.

“Settle down, damn it. Ye’ll be free to run soon enough.”

Ellie cringed at the MacDuff’s rough treatment of the animal. Had she pictured him doing the same to her? Donal shifted his weight to the balls of his feet as an overpowering urge to protect her nearly had him putting thought into action. It was all he could do not to go to Ellie to reassure her he’d never allow that man to touch her, much less to treat her badly. But it wasn’t his place to do that, certainly not in the crowded bailey. He’d embarrass her and likely provoke a battle with the MacDuff in the process. And if he survived the MacDuff, Jamie would have his head.

Nay, they were leaving. That had to be enough for now.

Ellie stood like a statue, chin lifted, hands clasped at her waist, unmoving. Micheil stood beside her, arms folded over his chest in a display that on a larger man would have seemed intended to intimidate. But on Micheil’s youthful frame, the stance looked more defensive than not. Donal made a mental note to discuss intimidating one’s opponents with the lad.

Finally, the MacDuffs mounted up. Their laird waved his men forward. They rode through the gate ahead of him. But the MacDuff reined up at the inner gate. He turned in the saddle to glare at the Lathans, then at Ellie.

“Dinna count on these Lathans to protect ye forever,” he taunted. “They come from too far to meddle in our affairs.” Then he spurred his horse. The hoofbeats died away as the MacDuffs galloped through the outer gate and the village below into the forest beyond.

Ellie stood, wide-eyed, for a moment, then her shoulders dropped. Donal’s back ached to think how stiffly she’d held herself while the MacDuff was still in the keep. Then Jamie stepped toward her and took her hand.

“Dinna fash, lass. We will keep ye safe.”

Donal gritted his teeth. As usual, Jamie had said what Donal meant to say. If he kept that up, Ellie would soon be begging Jamie to stay instead of him. Donal realized he didn’t like that idea. Not that it mattered. He’d felt the noose tighten around his neck at the MacDuff’s comment, but Jamie’s cinched it near to strangling. Jamie would insist Donal remain here to prove the MacDuff wrong. The Lathans would stay as long as it took to secure this clan.

Donal looked back at Ellie, relief written plainly on her face in the smile she gave Jamie and the loose set of her shoulders. She was so bonnie, it broke his heart. Then she laughed at something Jamie said and looked Donal in the eye. His heart stopped beating, then took up a frantic pace. He hadn’t heard her laugh since the first time they’d ridden through her glen. It sounded too sweet, too compelling, for him to resist. He couldn’t tear his gaze from her. Ach, she could steal his heart from his chest with that laugh. Every time he got near her he learned he wanted her more. Then he remembered the frozen, fearful expression on her face whenever she encountered the MacDuff. Perhaps staying was not such a bad idea, after all.

****

The morning training session had gone well despite the distraction of the MacDuff departure. Donal had forced himself to concentrate on the mock battles, trying to get Ellie’s laugh out of his head. The summons for the midday meal had come as a surprise. It seemed like no time at all had passed since he’d heard the relief and amusement in Ellie’s voice.

If only he could make her laugh like that. He’d have to ask Jamie what he’d said.

The Lathans sat at a corner table where Jamie had called them together to talk while they ate. Donal waited, tense with anticipation, to see what he had to say. He knew Jamie would have a plan, and he could guess what that plan would be.

“If we harbored any doubts, they should be gone,” Jamie began, “after the threat the MacDuff made this morning.”

Donal narrowed his eyes, though the other lads responded with ayes.

“Donal must stay, as will ye all.” Jamie’s gaze met Donal’s for a beat, then he added, “I willna.”

That statement was met with raised eyebrows all around. Jamie grimaced and began laying out his plans. “As quickly as I can return to the Aerie, I’ll send more men to help reinforce the defenses here. I’ll prevail upon the new treaty partners as I go along to send some men. It’ll be a good test. If they intend to adhere to the treaty, they’ll agree. If not, better we find out now rather than later. Their help is needed here, and soon.”

“Aye,” Bram agreed. “Even Toran would approve.”

“’Tis a pact the MacKyrie has yet to sign,” Donal interjected.

“She will before I leave tonight.”

“Tonight?” Innis spoke up, startled. “That soon?”

“Aye. ’Tis too soon after the MacDuff’s leave-taking for them to look for any other travelers. They’ll expect us to cower here, preparing our defenses and waiting for them to return with reinforcements.”

“Quaking in our boots, too, I’ll bet,” Innis jested and the others chuckled.

“How long will we stay?”

Donal breathed a sigh of relief that Bram had asked the question. After the verbal battles he and Jamie had over keeping Donal here, it was a question best put by someone, anyone, else.

“After Donal has the new defenders whipped into shape, ye all can return to the Aerie and yer duties there. Though I’d prefer, and I think Toran would as well, if Donal and a few others were to stay for several months more, to keep a Lathan presence here, and to continue to oversee training and guard the keep rather than leaving it with strangers from the treaty clans.”

“After they’ve been here awhile, they’ll no’ be strangers,” Innis remarked, giving Donal a moment of hope.

“Aye,” Jamie agreed, which surprised Donal. “But the MacKyrie trusts us and expects us to see to her clan’s safe-keeping until her lads grow into taking over.”

“That’s years.” Donal couldn’t stop the objection from slipping out.

“For the Lathans, aye. For each of us, nay. We’ll send new men with each season until things settle down here. But Donal, ye’ll be in charge until the MacKyrie no longer needs ye, or until Toran calls ye home.”

Donal opened his mouth to object.