Highlander's Wicked Gamel (Wicked Highlanders Book 1) Read online

  Marra shuddered at the image his words painted in her mind. She had seen their burnt corpses with her own eyes. She had buried them with her own hands. People she had known and loved her entire life gone, their bodies rotting in the ground. The smell of the cooking sausages mixed with her memory of the smell of burnt human flesh, and she raced to the door to vomit in the dirt.

  “I am sorry, lass. I did no’ mean tae stir up yer memories in such a way.” Ewen walked over to the door to ensure that she was alright. He helped her back into the croft and sat her down in the chair he had just vacated.

  “My apologies,” she whispered, her throat hoarse from retching.

  “Nae apologies are needed, lass. Ye have suffered much and bore it well. ‘Tis I who am sorry.” Ewen wet a cloth in water and brought it to her to clean her face.

  “I have no’ been quite myself since everythin’ that has happened,” she murmured, gratefully, accepting the cloth. The cool feel of the water upon her skin was refreshing.

  “Nae one would be, lass. Such loss is no’ meant tae be borne.”

  “What I dinnae ken is what Lachlan would have gained by doin’ what he did,” Marra puzzled aloud. “How could he possibly have benefited from takin’ me and slaughterin’ my people? It does no’ make any sense.”

  “I am inclined tae agree with ye, lass. I myself have been troubled by a lack o’ motive on his part. ‘Tis true he has ne’er been a friend tae the Clan MacDonald and has stated on more than one occasion that he would much rather have killed yer faither than to be forced to fight beside him for the Jacobite cause, but he ne’er acted on it afore this. I dinnae ken at all what takin’ ye would have gained, but for perhaps getting’ Duncan out o’ the way. He would have had to have incited the men tae great fury tae commit such an atrocity as tae kill innocent bairns. Yer faither threatened tae kill Duncan, but I dinnae believe that such a threat would be enough tae cause such an uprising among the men. I myself was nae asked tae participate in any such action.”

  “That is because ye are a good man, and they kenned that ye would no’ be party tae any such fiendish schemes.”

  “Nae, I would no’ have. I would have stopped them had I kenned what they were about. How did I no’ ken it afore now? How did I no’ notice any strange behavior? I am ashamed o’ myself for no’ seein’ it sooner.” His eyes glowed angrily at the injustice of it all as he slammed his fist down upon the table. Diana stirred on her pallet in the corner, and Ian emerged from the bedroom where he had spent the night with his wife. Diana had insisted on sleeping next to Marra.

  “What is goin’ on out here?” Ian grumbled, glaring at Ewen for disturbing his slumber. He sniffed the air appreciatively and eyed the food over the fire.

  “Breakfast will be done in but a moment,” Marra offered, hoping to appease the man. “Go and ready yerself for the day, and I will have it ready for ye upon yer return.”

  Ian nodded and exited the croft.

  “Ye have a way about ye, My Lady,” Ian’s wife noted from the bedroom door. “He may no’ show it as he should, but Ian respects ye more than ye ken.”

  “I hope that is so,” Marra remarked, smiling at the woman. “How fare ye this mornin’, Rebecca?” Marra moved forward, concerned, offering her a chair. She had been one of the people who had grown weak on the island, having given all of her food away to the children. When Ian had found out what she had done he had been beside himself.

  “I am much better, thank ye,” she answered quietly, taking the mug of tea that Ewen offered her. “Nothin’ a good bowl o’ parritch can no’ set tae rights.”

  “Aye,” Ewen smiled down at her with respect. “’Twas good o’ ye tae sacrifice for the wee bairns as ye did, but there will be nae more o’ that now that ye are with us, ye hear?” he chastised gently.

  “Aye, I hear ye,” she smiled, amused at being chastised as if she were a small child.

  Marra finished preparing the food, and Ian returned from having taken a bath in the sea. His hair dripped sea water across the floor and onto his wife as he leaned over to kiss her good morning. Rebecca squealed at the feel of the cold water on her skin, and they all laughed at the sound. Ian rubbed his wet whiskers across her cheek in response. “Och, away with ye,” Rebecca commanded, pushing at his chest while laughing good naturedly with the rest of them. For a brief moment it was as if everything that they had endured had never happened. For a brief moment the darkness dissipated and a little light shined through.

  “Hold that image in yer mind, lass, when ye need tae remember that there is still joy tae be had in this world,” Ewen advised quietly from behind her. “Nae matter how dark the day or how terrible the dragon tae be slain, there is more tae life than pain. Remember the joy. Remember the light. That is what will get ye through. That is why ye are here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  When Duncan awoke the next morning, he searched the castle for Lachlan, hoping to get some answers, only to discover that he and several of the men had gone. They had not said where they were going, and no one he talked to had thought to ask. Duncan left the castle and walked down to the croft where Marra had spent the night. He found her with Ewen and her maid Diana’s family breaking the fast. They welcomed him in and set a place for him at the table. Duncan was not sure how much of Marra suspicions about Lachlan she had shared with Ian and his family, so he chose not to broach the subject until later when he, Marra, and Ewen were alone.

  “Lachlan is gone on a hunt with some of the men as far as I was able to gather at the castle,” he informed them as they stood outside of the croft after breakfast. “I dinnae ken where.”

  “And ye dinnae find that suspicious? When was the last time he went on a hunt and did no’ take ye with him. Ye are the best tracker in the clan. It would be foolish tae leave ye behind,” Ewen pointed out.

  “I dinnae wish tae accuse a man o’ murder without proof,” Duncan retorted. He was feeling the strain of recent events and was having a hard time with the idea that his cousin could be responsible for such atrocities. Ewen on the other hand appeared to have lost all doubts on the subject. “Recognizing a voice in a crowded room filled with people is no’ proof. Nor is anythin’ else I have witnessed thus far. When he returns, I will simply ask him about it. I will ken if he lies tae me about it.”

  “Will ye?” Marra asked with doubt. “He has been able tae hide it from ye thus far.”

  Duncan looked at her unable to answer. If she were right, and Lachlan was guilty, how had he managed to hide it from him and the rest of the clan? How would he have been able to justify his actions without the consent or knowledge of the laird? Duncan’s head whirled with the possible repercussions of Marra and Ewen’s accusations. Marra moved toward him and laid her hand on his arm. “I am sorry. I ken that he is yer cousin and that ye love him as a brother, but he is guilty, Duncan. There is nae doubt in my mind.”

  “I cannae believe it. I simply cannae believe it,” he whispered, wishing more than anything that what she said was not true.

  “’Twas a bit o’ a shock for me as well,” Marra admitted. “Even now I am no’ sure I did the right thing in tellin’ ye as I did.”

  “O’ course ye should have told me. How am I supposed tae protect ye if ye dinnae tell me these things. I admit I did no’ want tae hear what ye had tae say, but I would rather ken it than no’ and be caught unawares. I agree that his behavior is strange, but we need more proof than that. If he did it, he will tell me if I ask. I am sure o’ it.” Duncan looked them each in the eye to show them that he meant what he said. Stepping forward he took Marra into his arms. “Please trust me with this and dinnae take any rash actions against him in retaliation ‘til I have had a chance tae speak with him.” Marra nodded and allowed him to pull her into his arms. He hated them being at odds with each other in such a way, but he had to be sure that the right man was caught no matter how it made either of them feel. “I will speak with him upon his return,” he promised.

  Duncan an
d Marra spent the rest of the morning looking in on the MacDonalds to ensure that they had made it through their first night without difficulty. It felt good to spend time together in spite of what had transpired the night before. He loved to watch her with her people. She was a caring and compassionate leader. He marveled that such a lovely creature could have ever come from an old codger like Angus MacDonald. He felt a twinge of guilt for thinking ill of the dead, but the truth was the truth whether the man was dead or not. ‘Tis better tae honor the dead with truth rather than lies, is it no’? He asked himself, applying the same principle to his current predicament. Cousin or nae, getting tae the truth o’ the matter is the only honorable thing I can do.

  When they had finished their rounds, Duncan and Marra walked back toward Diana and Ian’s croft. “I was wonderin’ if it would be permissible for me tae take Diana and peruse yer library this afternoon?” Marra requested, her eyes alight with the possibility as if she were about to unearth a hidden treasure trove.

  “Aye, what is mine is yers, lass. Ye my help yerself tae anythin’ ye please. ‘Tis only the family that uses the room. I will make sure that all is quiet for ye so that Diana might enjoy it without tae much misery.”

  “Thank ye, Duncan!” she exclaimed her eyes glowing with excitement.

  Duncan chuckled in pleasure at her delight. “’Tis glad I am tae see such a smile on yer face again. I have no’ seen such a bonnie sight since our dance at the gatherin’.”

  Marra sobered a bit, and her smile turned a bit sad. “Aye, the gatherin’ seems a verra long time ago e’en though I ken it was but a month.”

  Marra’s words struck him with such intensity he nearly stumbled. “Such a short time ago?” He could hardly believe that it had been merely a month since they had first met. “How is that possible?” He stared down at her dumbfounded. “How does one feel such intense love in so brief a time?” Duncan had not intended to voice his thoughts aloud, but had been so surprised by her words that he had not been able to stop them.

  “I dinnae ken,” she whispered looking up into his eyes, “but it is true.”

  Duncan met her eyes and pulled her into his arms. “Aye, ‘tis true.” He lowered his head brushing his lips against hers. She responded by leaning against him and lifting her face for more. Crushing her to him, he took her lips in a passionate kiss. She loves me, his mind whispered happily. Her arms wrapped around his neck as her fingers tangled in his hair. An old couple passed by and the man chuckled pleasantly, commenting to his wife about the heat of young love. Marra pulled back, blushing at the old man’s words. Duncan grinned and tucked Marra under his arm, and they continued on their way to the croft.

  When they arrived, Marra excitedly told Diana of her plan for them to spend the remainder of the day in the castle library. Diana smiled at her mistress’ joyous expression and nodded to Duncan in appreciation. “I thank ye,” she spoke to him softly after Marra had moved away to prepare the midday meal. “’Tis good tae see the light back in her eyes if only for a moment. She was so verra upset last eve.”

  “Aye, I fear that was partly my fault,” Duncan admitted.

  “Aye, it was, but I can see how ye would no’ wish tae believe her claims tae be true. She understands as well, e’en if she has no’ said so. The bond o’ family is a strong one. I dinnae envy ye the task ahead.” Diana patted his hand in sympathy, then changed the course of the conversation. “How is yer faither?”

  “He does no’ have much time left,” Duncan sadly informed her as he took a seat beside her.

  “’Tis sorry I am tae hear it. Fergus Campbell is a generous laird, tae be sure.”

  Duncan nearly flinched at the use of the Campbell name in conjunction with his father. Tae die under yer enemies’ name and no’ yer own is a fate nae man deserves tae endure. Faither deserves much better than tae lie a stranger beneath his own gravestone. Duncan studied the faces around him and wondered how they would react were they to know the truth. Would they report their benefactors as MacGregors or would they keep the secret? He watched Marra’s face and wondered, Would she still love me then?

  Duncan and Diana continued to sit together for a time, watching Marra cook. They chatted about how the other MacDonalds had settled in to their temporary homes, and Diana offered up advice on how to make the transition go more smoothly. She had known many of them their entire lives, and Duncan appreciated her insights. He could see why Marra valued her counsel so highly.

  Once the food was ready, they all gathered around the table to eat. Marra came around to sit beside him, and he moved his leg to lean against hers beneath the table’s roughhewn surface. A small smile quirked up the side of her mouth, and he nudged her knee playfully causing her face to blossom into a full smile. Her eyes twinkled as she looked at him, and he wished that the moment would never fade. It was that very smile that he had fallen in love with at first glance that day of the spring gathering. He would never forget seeing her standing there amongst the stalls, sun shining on her scarlet tresses, as she smiled at the children running about her. In that moment, neither of them had known what tragedies lay ahead. Oh, tae return tae such innocence.

  His emotions must have shown on his face, because Marra laid a concerned hand upon his arm. Her eyes questioned him, and he shook his head, offering up a smile of reassurance. When they were done eating, Duncan assisted Marra in walking Diana safely to the castle library. The maid was mostly healed, but still had trouble with headaches and dizziness caused by swift movements, loud sounds, and bright light. He cautioned those they passed to remain quiet in proximity of the library and arranged for Ewen to stand guard outside of the room, so that they would not be disturbed. He did not wish for anything to diminish the joy he had seen upon her face at seeing the castle’s collection of books.

  Hearing a great deal of noise coming from the hall below he moved to the stairs and saw that Lachlan and his men had returned from their hunt and were celebrating their luck at having dropped a large stag. They appeared to be reenacting the tale in a most vigorous manner. Duncan contemplated cornering Lachlan, but did not see him in the crowd so changed course, deciding to discuss the matter over with his father first, as it was the laird’s place to oversee such matters of judgement and discipline if Lachlan turned out to be guilty. As he walked, he prayed with all of his might that Marra was wrong.

  When he reached the laird’s bedchamber he was surprised to find his father sitting up in bed eating. Some of the color had even returned to his cheeks. “Faither,” he greeted with a smile. “Ye are lookin’ better than ye were earlier. What has brought about this miraculous transformation?”

  The laird chuckled, causing him to cough a bit, but not as bad as he had before. “’Tis Idonae’s teas and such. She is makin’ a new man o’ men whether I like it or no’. I had grown rather used tae the idea that I was on death’s door and now she claims that I might live tae see another winter or so. ‘Tis no’ a forever cure, my son,” he cautioned Duncan not to get his hopes up, “but ‘twill allow us a bit more time than what we thought we had together. I will still wheeze and cough, mind ye, but ‘tis no’ as bad as it was even earlier this morn.”

  “That is joyous news indeed, Faither!” Duncan moved forward to sit beside his father and squeezed the laird’s hand affectionately. “I feared the worst but a few moments ago.” He looked at Idonea with a chastising glance, “Ye could have told me, dear Idonea, that he was feelin’ better when I looked in afore, instead o’ chasin’ me out o’ here as if he could no’ have borne the company.”

  “Rest is an important part o’ the healin’. Ye would only have delayed his improvement by wearin’ him out as ye are now,” Idonea pointed out.

  “I will get tae my point then,” Duncan turned back to his father. “’Tis a matter o’ great import I bring tae ye, Faither. I would no’ do so if there were any other way tae find the answers that I seek, but this is in need o’ the laird’s hand.”

  “Go on, my son,” the laird stoppe
d eating and sat up a bit straighter, giving Duncan his full attention.

  “It is about Lachlan and Marra,” Duncan began. “I dinnae ken how tae tell ye this other than tae be done with it. Marra believes that it is Lachlan who took her and attacked her people. There is some physical evidence that she may be right, as Lachlan and several among his group of men were wounded around the same time. They say it was from training, but I dinnae ken as I was no’ there."

  The laird sat and stared in silence for a moment, a grave expression on his face. “Ye will need tae be speakin’ with him then. If ye suspect that she is correct in her accusations then he will need tae stand judgement afore his laird. ‘Twould be best if ye first ascertained the validity of the lass’ claims afore he must answer tae me.”

  “Aye, Faither,” Duncan nodded solemnly.

  “’Tis sorry I am that such a task falls tae ye, but there is no’ anythin’ tae be done for it. ‘Twill be good practice for when ye are laird. Unfortunately, as such, it falls tae us tae discipline both family and clan when needed. I pray that Marra is wrong, for if she is no’…” The laird’s voice drifted off as he thought of all the difficulties they would face if Lachlan were the butcher of Jura.

  “It would be the end o’ us all,” Duncan finished for his father.

  “Aye, it would be at that,” the laird nodded his head slowly, resigned to face whatever lay ahead. He coughed once more, and Idonea shooed Duncan from the room.

  Duncan turned back to face the healer at the door. “I thank ye, Idonea, for all ye have done tae aid my faither. What e’er time more ye can give me with him I wish for ye tae do so. I will provide ye with what e’er ye need tae continue with his treatments.”