A Highlander Born From Chaos (Highlanders 0f Kirklinton Book 2) Page 4

  “I shall walk with ye as far as the stream and see ye across,” Caitlin said, and Evie nodded.

  She would be grateful for the company, wondering if perhaps Hamish MacBryde might once again be watching from the heathers above. In the bright light of day, a day on which the clouds were replaced by sunshine and the whole landscape looked as though it were freshly laundered, the heathers sparkling in the sun, she felt foolish for having been scared of her rescuer. If he had wished to do her harm, then why had he rescued her? She had been rude to him, hostile even when his only intention had appeared honorable. A wave of guilt ran through her, and she tried to dismiss the thought as she took Caitlin’s arm, and the two of them set off across the heathers.

  “Tis a beautiful day,” Caitlin said, taking in a deep breath.

  “Aye, and I am lucky to see it,” Evie replied, sighing.

  “Ye are. Few fall into a torrent such as that and come out alive. I didnae know ye were such a swimmer. When we were bairns, ye were always so timid down at the pool in the forest glade. I remember yer brothers once divin’ into rescue ye when the water became too deep,” Caitlin replied.

  “I have learned since then,” Evie said, feeling Caitlin’s eyes upon her.

  “Ye must have learned well,” Caitlin said, and Evie nodded.

  “Aye, well, all that matters is I am here now, and thanks to ye and yer mother, I am warm and rested,” Evie replied.

  They could see clearly towards the Armstrong castle now and across to what had once been her parent’s croft, a small building which had once belonged to her great grandparents. Or so her mother had always told her.

  “Ye miss it, daenae ye?” Caitlin said, pointing out across the heathers.

  “ only a few miles, but it may as well be the end of the world. I was so happy there and now at Kirklinton things seem so different, even after just a few days. That was why I wanted to come and see ye and yer mother, I want things to be just as they used to be,” Evie replied.

  “And they can be. Ye and I will always be friends, Evie. Even when yer father marries ye off,” Caitlin replied, laughing as Evie scowled.

  “I will nae be married off to anyone, Caitlin. And ye are a fine one to talk, the way ye play my poor brother a merry dance. Why will ye nae marry him? He is in love with ye, and he would dae anythin’ for ye,” Evie replied.

  Caitlin smiled and shook her head.

  “I cannae love someone just because they love me, Evie. I wouldnae be true to myself if I did so now, would I?” Caitlin said.

  “I suppose nae, but ye will break his heart if ye find another man,” Evie replied.

  Caitlin looked out across the heathers and moorland, which stretched endlessly before them and laughed.

  “I daenae see a stream of men comin’ towards me, dae ye? I fear I shall never find a man to marry, perhaps yer brother will have to dae after all,” she replied.

  They had arrived at the stream now, about half a mile further down from where Evie had tried to cross the day before. It was still in flood, though the worst of the torrent had subsided, and there were exposed rocks over which Evie could pick a path to the other side.

  “Thank ye for walkin’ with me, Caitlin,” Evie said, turning to embrace her friend.

  “Are ye sure ye daenae need me to hold yer hand as ye cross, Evie?” she said, laughing.

  “I would push ye in, and ye can see how cold ‘Tis in there,” Evie replied, and she smiled at Caitlin before stepping onto the first rock.

  It was slippery, and she made her way precariously across, turning to wave to Caitlin from the other side.

  “Daenae be a stranger to us,” Caitlin called.

  “I will nae and be sure to visit us at Kirklinton very soon,” Evie called back.

  She turned and made her way up the bank and onto the moorland beyond. The sky was bright blue, with wisps of white cloud trailing across it. She could see her father’s castle, the banner of the Elliotts fluttering in the distance and down below that which had once belonged to the Armstrong’s, and which she had once called home. There were just a few miles between the two, but to Evie, the difference was insurmountable. She wondered how her father must now feel, faced with the grave responsibility of being Laird over the Elliotts and how her dear mother must also feel, mistress of the castle in which she had grown up, her own father now gone.

  As Evie walked across the moorlands, she occasionally paused, contemplating what had occurred on the previous afternoon. She could not rid herself of the image of Hamish MacBryde. His face was etched permanently in her mind. A pang of guilt ran through her again at the thought of how terribly rude she had been. She had hardly thanked him, and she had certainly not been polite. She looked down at the crest on the clasp of the cloak and deciding it was best to not arrive home with it about her person she took it off and hid it in the hollow of a tree. The path forked there, with one way leading to the village of Lochrutton and the other to the castle at Kirklinton.

  I should return the cloak, she thought to herself, looking around her lest anyone might see. But the moors were wild and lonely, and there was no sign of anyone, even her father and brothers who the day before had been so busy at their labors. She walked slowly on, a breeze playing across the moorland and causing her to shiver, despite the warmth of the day. As the gates of the castle came into view, she could see horses in the stable yard, and her Godfather mounted on his old stead, Buckler. As she neared, he turned and looked at her, shaking his head at her and climbing down from the horse.

  “I was just comin’ to look for ye. Where have ye been? Yer father and brothers have ridden to the Armstrong castle in search of ye,” Sweeney said.

  “I have only been gone a night. There was … an accident; I stayed with Caitlin and her mother. I didnae think anyone would mind, I have done it before,” Evie said.

  “Accident? What accident?” he said, looking at her with concern.

  “I … I fell into the stream, just above the castle. I am all right, but I was soaked through and cold. Caitlin’s mother insisted I remain there for the night and get warm,” Evie replied.

  “That stream is treacherous, did ye nae cross at the ford like any sensible person? Sweeney said, shaking his head.

  “The ford was flooded, I … I made my way upstream and thought I had found a safe place to cross, but I slipped and fell. I swam to the side, but I was so cold; I couldnae have walked back home that day,” she replied, hoping her story sounded convincing.

  “The stream is treacherous further upstream. Ye could have been carried over the falls at Kinclaig Rock. We would have been fishin’ yer body out then, lass. But there are other dangers too ye know, the borders are nae safe for ye. We thought perhaps someone had taken ye or was holdin’ ye,” Sweeney replied.

  “I am quite capable of lookin’ after myself. I daenae need ye and father always watchin’ my back,” Evie replied.

  “Aye, but things are different now. The enemy is encircling us once more, and there are threats on all sides. Ye cannae just wander off any more like that. Ye are nae livin’ at the Armstrong’s castle now, Evie. Ye are the daughter of the Laird, and with that comes some responsibility. Ye told yer mother ye would be back, and when ye didnae arrive, we grew worried for ye,” Sweeney replied.

  “Well, I am here now so ye can call off yer search parties, I am nae a child anymore,” Evie said, angry with her Godmother for his mollycoddling.

  “Then daenae act like one. Go on, get yerself inside, yer mother is worried. I will tell yer father and brothers to call off the search when they get back. He will nae be pleased with ye though, Evie. I assure ye of that,” Sweeney said and shaking his head, he wandered off towards the stables.

  Evie scowled at him. She did not need her Godfather to tell her to be careful, though; of course, he was right to do so, and the thought of Hamish MacBryde flashed across her mind.

  But she had been in no danger from him, despite what her parents might say to the contrary, had she? He had
been nothing but friendly and the more she thought about it, the more foolish she felt at having run away without so much as a further thank you and there and then she resolved to see Hamish again, whatever it took

  Chapter Five

  “Evie, thank the good Lord ye are safe. We have been worried about ye. Where have ye been?” Isla said, rushing to embrace Evie, as she entered the Great Hall a few moments later.

  “At Caitlin’s mother, as I said, I would be. Why is everyone so worried about me? I have often spent the night there in the past, and ye didnae mind at all. Why the worry now?” Evie said, her mother’s look one of relief and disapproval.

  “Things are different now, Evie. Ye are the daughter of the Laird. Dangers are lurkin’ on every side. Please try to understand that yer father and I must keep ye safe,” Isla replied, as Evie followed her to the fireside.

  “Safe from what, mother? And ye were hardly the model daughter of the Laird yerself. Ye was always goin’ off alone and worryin’ grandfather, he told me of it enough times,” Evie replied, laughing.

  “This is nay laughin’ matter, Evie … aye, I was a wayward lass and too headstrong. Ye have inherited that from me, I can see. But remember the trouble which such things got me into, and I daenae wish my daughter to go through what I went through at the hands of the English or worse, what yer dear grandmother went through in her captivity,” Isla said, taking hold of Evie’s hand.

  “Aye, mother. I am all right; there was … an accident,” Evie said, and her mother threw her hands up in horror.

  “An accident, what sort of accident?” she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

  “I … I fell into the stream, it was in flood, I slipped on a rock and went down. But there was nay harm done, I got to the side all right. But I was soaked to the skin and freezin’ cold, I ran to Caitlin’s croft, and her mother insisted that I stay with them. I couldnae have come back here last night, I would have caught my death of cold. Instead, I did the sensible thing and remained with them for the night before comin’ home, dae ye nae think, mother?” Evie said.

  Her mother sighed and nodded.

  “Oh, Evie. Ye were a fool to cross the stream in a flood. Ye should have come back, and nae attempted it. But that the good Lord ye are all right. But promise ye shall nae be foolish like that again, Evie. Promise me, ye hear me?” Isla said, and Evie nodded.

  At the moment, there came the sound of voices and a clattering from below, which signaled the return of her father and brothers. When they appeared in the Great Hall and saw Evie sitting by the fire with Isla, there was much rejoicing, though her father looked grave.

  “So, here ye are. We rode to Caitlin’s croft, and she told us ye had stayed the night, somethin’ about an accident in the stream,” her father said, shaking his head.

  “Aye, father,” Evie replied, and once again, she recounted the story.

  “Ye went upstream?” her father said, as she finished telling the tale.

  “Aye, a mile or so, up above the falls at Kinclaig Rock. Why? I thought it might be easier to cross there,” she replied.

  Her father shook his head and glanced at Rory and Owen.

  “We have heard some disturbin’ reports this mornin’ from the guard at the Armstrong Castle. They say that a man has been spotted up on the heathers there, watchin’ and waitin’ for somethin’ and that he bore some resemblance to the heir of the MacBrydes, Hamish is his name. A dangerous lad and one I daenae wish to see prowlin’ over my lands. Ye didnae see anythin’ did ye, Evie?” her father asked, fixing her with a stern gaze.

  Evie swallowed hard. She was a terrible liar, and she hoped her face did not betray her as she returned her father’s gaze.

  “Nay, father. I saw nay one. I was too busy tryin’ to get out of the stream to worry much about strangers on the heather. The path there is a lonely one, and I went straight to Caitlin’s from there,” Evie replied.

  “I see,” her father replied, narrowing his eyes, “ye were lucky to have Rory’s cloak about ye, it must have kept ye warm,” he continued.

  Evie stammered, her face turning red.

  “But I never lent ye a cloak, Evie. Did I?” her brother said, “Caitlin told me that ye had a cloak about ye. She said it was that which saved ye from the cold of the stream, but I didnae lend ye a cloak, did I?” and they all fixed her with a puzzled look.

  “Oh … Caitlin was mistaken. I did have a cloak, but it was my own, I daenae know why she thought it belonged to ye, Rory. But … I gave it to a peasant on my way back here. Yes, the poor man was shiverin’ with cold, for he had only a tunic, and I took pity on him; it was on the path leading over the heathers. I gave him the cloak, and he was grateful, he went off singin’ such a merry song,” she replied, laughing and turning to her mother.

  “But why would Caitlin say it was my cloak if it were nae?” Rory asked, as her father and brothers still looked at her with suspicion.

  “Oh … well, I may have said it was yer cloak, because … because ye know what Caitlin is like. She can be so terribly jealous, and if I told her it was my cloak, then she would speak of wantin’ one herself. She is just a poor lass, her mother has nae two pennies to rub together and I daenae like to show off before her,” Evie replied, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.

  Her father shook his head.

  “Cloaks to peasants. What will ye dae next, open the castle to them?” he said.

  “Uncle Duncan would dae so, he always tries to help the poor. I was only tryin’ to imitate him,” Evie replied, warming to her lie.

  “Yer uncle Duncan has taken a vow of poverty, ‘Tis his duty to help the poor. Laird’s daughter or nae, a good cloak shouldnae be given away,” her father said, tutting at her.

  “It was nae that long ago that ye were just a poor blacksmith, Father. Have ye forgotten charity?” she asked, pleased that her lie seemed to have been accepted.

  “Daenae speak to me about charity, Evie. I play my part, but ye cannae help everyone. Now, all this business has made me tired, and I need my rest. I suggest the rest of ye dae so too, there are hard times ahead,” Fraser said, and nodding to them, he turned on his heels and marched from the Great Hall.

  Isla sighed and patted Evie’s arm.

  “There now, ‘Tis all resolved. But ye must promise nae to go wanderin’ off like that again, nae when we have MacBrydes all over the moorlands and threats on every side. Somethin’ is comin’ I can feel it,” her mother said, returning to the fireside.

  Owen nodded to Evie and followed their mother to the hearth, but Rory fixed her with a stern look and taking hold of her arm he led her to one side.

  “Yer hurtin’ me, Rory,” Evie said, shaking off his hand from her arm.

  “And ye are a liar. I cannae believe that father bought yer nonsense about givin’ a cloak to a peasant. I never lent ye a cloak, ye daenae even own one and why would Caitlin lie so readily, she mentioned the cloak in passin’, but I never lent ye one. Where did it really come from, Evie?” Rory said, looking sternly at his sister.

  “I told ye …” she began, but he grabbed her arm again and pulled her close to him.

  “Stop lyin’ and start tellin’ the truth,” he hissed.

  “What has gotten into ye? Dae ye nae trust yer own sister now? Am I that untrustworthy?” Evie said, but Rory simply shook his head.

  “I daenae like bein’ lied to by my own sister. It makes me wonder what else she is keepin’ from us,” Rory said.

  Evie sighed. It was clear he would not take no for an answer, and she pulled him to one side and lowered her voice.

  “All right, Rory. But if ye breathe a word of this to Father, I shall never speak to ye again, I swear. Ye promise me?” she said.

  He looked at her for a moment before nodding.

  “If there is any danger to ye or to the clan, then I cannae promise that, but all right, if what ye say is the truth, I shall keep it to myself,” he replied, sighing as he did so.

  “When I fell into the strea
m, I was rescued by a man. I daenae know who he was, he didnae tell me his name. But it was his cloak I was wrapped in. I couldnae swim, the current was too strong and if he had nae of rescued me then …” she said, her words trailing off.

  Rory looked at her gravely, and she knew what he was thinking. She had no intention of revealing that she knew the identity of the stranger and that his identity corroborated the reports of a MacBryde upon the heathers above the Armstrong castle. She felt a strange sense of loyalty to him and had no desire to see him chased or captured by her father’s men. He had posed her no threat, quite the opposite, in fact, and she still felt foolish for so readily running away.

  “And he didnae give ye his name, this stranger?” Rory asked, looking at her as though he knew she was holding something back.

  “Nay, he didnae. He helped me to the side, wrapped in his cloak, and waited until I was well enough to walk alone, then he left. It may have been a ghost for all I know, a specter upon the moorlands,” she replied.