Highland Courage(91)
“Nay, I don’t. I expect him to marry me.”
Tadhg smiled. The hall, which had been completely silent moments earlier, erupted in a cacophony at her declaration. It seemed Fraser’s “little dove” was no meeker than his Mairead, who had always been called a mouse. Furthermore, Sine was right. Regardless of what happened to Darcy, the only way to prevent a bloody feud at this point was to bind the clans, as planned, with a wedding. Eventually, when the uproar died, Cathal and Lachlan accepted this, too, and settled down to discuss the terms.
~ * ~
Niall sent his men searching for the missing Frasers. By mid-afternoon, a rider returned with news, which he delivered to Laird MacIan privately.
“Laird, we found a riderless horse near the eastern edge of the loch, its saddle smeared with blood. The rest of the men continued the search, but knowing how fractious things were here, we thought it best to let ye know.”
“Aye, that is probably for the best. Don’t say anything to anyone until we know more. Even though Lachlan agrees Darcy has brought this ill on the clan, if he has been killed, we still may have a feud on our hands.”
Later the watch announced the search party was spotted carrying two litters. Niall had no choice; he had to prepare the lairds for what might be coming.
He entered the hall somberly. Seeing Katherine there with their daughter in her arms, he motioned to her and she joined him. “What is it, Niall?”
“Where is Tomas?”
“He is in the village with Shona.”
“I want ye to take the baby, Mairead, and Lady MacKenzie to Rowan’s room and stay there until I send for ye. I will send guardsmen with ye.”
“Has something happened?”
“I’m not sure. The search party has been spotted returning with two litters. I have no way of knowing who they bear or if the occupants are alive or dead. I don’t want any of ye in the hall when Laird Fraser learns of it.”
“But if someone is injured, ye may need me.”
“Then I will send for ye. Go now, sweetling. I need to know ye are safe”
“I don’t want ye to worry. I will go.”
As she turned to walk away, he stopped her and gave her a quick kiss. “I love ye, sweetling.”
“Oh, Niall, I love ye, too. Please be careful.”
~ * ~
Tadhg became instantly wary when Katherine asked Mairead and her mother to go with her to check on Rowan, and two of Niall’s guardsmen followed. At his signal, Hamish, too, followed them.
Perhaps sensing Niall’s uneasiness, the hall grew silent and all eyes turned to him.
“Something has happened,” Lachlan stated flatly.
“Aye, Laird Fraser. The search party has been spotted returning, but they bear two litters.”
“Who is on them? Are they injured or dead?”
“I don’t know. Earlier my men found a riderless horse with blood on the saddle. I urge ye to remain calm, at least until we know what happened.”
For once Lachlan did not bluster. He looked sallow, as if he dreaded the news. Sine slipped into the seat beside him and clasped his hand. “It will work out, Da. No matter what, everything will be all right.”
They found out what had happened sooner than expected. One of Niall’s captains, Alan, rode ahead of the party with the news.
“Lairds, I suspected ye would be worried when it became evident we carried litters.”
“Did ye find my son?” Lachlan asked almost hesitantly.
“Aye, we did, and he is alive, but injured.”
“Who is on the other litter?” Niall asked.
“The Fraser clansman named Rafer.”
“Is he injured, too?”
“Nay, Laird, he is dead.”
“Nay!” wailed Eara. “He can’t be dead. Ye are to blame, Matheson,” she yelled.
“Be still, Eara,” Laird Fraser commanded. “What happened?”
“Apparently, Rafer was the one who attacked Rowan.”
“Ye lie!” shrieked Eara.
“Be silent, lass, or I will have ye removed!” her father warned. “Tell me what happened.”
“Rafer hoped to kill Rowan so he could marry Eara. He was the one who helped the Matheson lass, Finola, disappear. He told her Darcy wanted to protect her. He lured Darcy away, too. He intended to kill them both, but planned to make it look as if he killed Darcy in self-defense after Darcy had attacked and killed Finola. He was nearly successful, too. He stabbed Darcy in the shoulder and Darcy lost a lot of blood defending himself and Finola. Apparently, he stumbled and fell, losing consciousness, but before Rafer could run him through, Finola struck Rafer in the head with a rock, and he fell on Darcy’s sword.”
“Ye see, Da, Matheson is to blame. I was right.”