Bound to the Highlander(25)

“’Tis important, Lady Aileana,” James said without turning. His voice was like a soothing caress on the back of her neck.

Father Addison continued. “Past confrontations to negotiate peaceful terms have not gone well and have ended in bloodshed. Up until last fall, MacKay attacks were restricted to those select clans in the north. The one on the MacKenzie clan was much farther south than any previous. These raiders are on the move - everyone knows it but no one knows why.”

He squeezed her hand. For her comfort, or his own, she could not tell.

“Fergus McKay, the current chief, is a hulk of a man. ’Tis said that the attack was prompted by a simple insult between a MacKenzie clansman and the McKay over a pitcher of ale. ’Tis also said he planned the attack on them last fall including how the pain and suffering was to be inflicted. This man is capable of great torment to his victims.

“Having inherited a clan that had declared war on all in the north so many years ago, he has known murder and madness his whole life. The MacKay is said to have begun his own battle training at ten years of age and has developed the rigor his soldiers must endure to serve him. His twelve best fighters move like phantoms on the wind. They’re dangerous beyond imagination, my dear, to be so bold as to post their own colours after such an attack, well ’tis like nothing I’ve seen.”

Aileana left her seated position and made her way behind her uncle’s desk to gaze at the portrait of her uncle. Father Addison was known to exaggerate anything he’d heard. However, if even half of this story was true, it could already be too late to get everyone to safety. How often had her uncle faced such dangers and kept it from her? She must face this as he would have. James could make the decision for her, yet here she was in the solar, asked to contribute her thoughts and opinion. Wasn’t that what she wanted? Did that mean her betrothed was willing to make her his full partner or was he merely trying to curry favour to impress the other gentleman present? Either way, she must make a decision.

Her voice was steady when she spoke despite her trembling inside. “We will prepare for attack. I’ll order all residents in outer areas to move inside the keep for protection, have every able bodied man on this estate prepared, and send away my guests first thing in the morn. I will do all of this, but I have one remaining question. What then? How long do we board ourselves up and stand with our swords drawn, ready to strike? Why aren’t we planning to do something once and for all about these barbarians?”

James moved in front of her and stared hard into her eyes. He held her shoulders in his strong hands while he searched her face. She saw great strength in his. This was not the flirtatious cad she’d met on the road, nor gallant nobleman she’d committed to earlier that day, nor even the arrogant boar with whom she’d shared the noon meal. All other versions were gone. The man before her gave her a new impression. She was safe with this man.

“We are going to do something,” he said. “And I intend to make sure of it.” With that he left.

Aileana returned to her chamber alone. If they were all in such mortal danger, shouldn’t the guests leave straight away? The orange-yellow light cast from the sun onto the tapestries in the hallway reminded her that by the time anyone prepared themselves to leave, darkness would have fallen. When she entered her chamber, it was to find Gwen and Sheena pacing and waiting for her.

“Oh Aileana, please tell us what’s happened. Some of the guests said they saw you and the MacIntosh go into the solar with Father Addison. They said his Lordship came out a short time later with the look of death on him.”

Sheena’s pleading struck a chord. They relied on decisions made by her and James and they deserved to know everything. Indeed, the rest of the castle would be just as anxious for news.

I must go and see to the guests. Gwen, please gather everyone in the great hall, tell them I shall explain everything there.”

As soon as Gwen was gone, Aileana turned to her aunt. “We’re sending everyone away on the morn. There’s risk of an attack and I fear you are not safe here.”

Aileana held her breath as she waited for her aunt’s response. She didn’t want her to leave though it was safest.

Sheena smiled and tilted her head up. “My dear, if this be the end, we shall face it together. I have every confidence in the security of this keep as well as the strength of his lordship’s resolve. I trust with your intended near we shall be well protected here.”

Sheena gave Aileana a gentle hug and a kiss on both cheeks. She pulled back, holding Aileana at arm’s length. “I am sorry to see these celebrations ruined for you, but I’m certain of one thing; the MacIntosh is quite taken with you.”