Rescued by a Highlander(72)

“Father, let me settle you inside where it is warm and arrange for some food for you, you must be hungry. Then I will update you on all that has transpired. But it is so good to see you!” She hugged him before leading him up the stairs to the keep.

***

Alex did not return until dusk. Traipsing into the hall, he immediately welcomed Father MacGregor. Brenna called for food and they enjoyed the meal together with much laughter. After the meal, Alex spoke to Father MacGregor.

“Father, will you walk with me outside for a bit?”

“Why, certainly Laird, I would enjoy a walk.”

As soon as they distanced themselves from the hall, Alex asked the questions he needed answers to.

“Father, have you heard anything about Madeline’s stepbrother, Kenneth? Do you have any idea where he is, where he might be hiding?”

“Nay, Laird, I have not seen or heard anything about the man. At least, not since he was here with Niles Comming. I heard about his death, and I thank you for saving Madeline from the horrid situation she was in. Her parents would be sick if they knew how poorly Kenneth treated her. I was there for about three months after their death. Eventually, I was told in a threatening manner not to return to his keep ever again.

“It broke my heart as I was very fond of Madeline, and I knew that Kenneth did not like her. But I knew that Mac and Alice would watch over her. Alice would protect her until her death.”

“I have already seen the evidence of that, Father.” Alex grinned as he thought of the old woman hitting him in the head with the parchment and calling him swine. “But even Mac is no’ a match for Kenneth.”

“Father, I need to ask you another question, and mayhap you will not be able to answer it for me, but I will ask. Do you think, after all Maddie has been through, she will be able to conduct herself in a normal manner as my wife? Do you know what happened to her at the hands of Kenneth and the Comming? Will she ever be able to put that cruelty behind her?”

“Och, you ask difficult questions, Laird. But I will share with you what I know. Kenneth was a very sneaky, deceitful man. While I was still there, he thought Madeline had some jewels from her mother. I recall a pearl necklace that her mother wore often. Kenneth wanted to sell them, but they were gifts to Madeline and she would not part with them. He finally concocted a scheme of allowing her to visit an aunt in England.

“Madeline was so excited at the prospect of getting free from Kenneth, I’m afraid she was not thinking clearly. He actually hired someone to take her, loaded her trunks, and sent them on their way. The next day, he set out on their trail, killed the driver of the wagon and ransacked through Madeline’s possessions. He found all the jewels, but ‘twas not enough punishment. He beat her black and blue and left her to die.”

Alex’s rage flew at the image of Madeline lying alone on a dirt road, beaten. How could someone treat an innocent woman in such a way? Madeline was so tender hearted. What could she have done to anger her stepbrother so? Probably nothing, Kenneth was a madman. He clenched his fists at the thought of grabbing him by the throat to even things out. He forced his attention back to Father MacGregor.

“But Maddie is a fighter, and she was found several days later wandering just outside the keep. Mac found her and brought her back. Alice and Mac hid her and nursed her back to health. I was actually called to pray over Madeline’s body as they did not think she would survive, but she did. When Kenneth found out, he became incensed and beat her all over again. That was when I had my conversation with Kenneth. I reminded him of what the Lord would think of men taking advantage of weaker creatures. Rather than listen to me, he banished me from the keep.

“My guess is that Maddie does not trust easily anymore. And as for me, that one experience made me question as to whether I was praying for the right things. When a sweet-tempered lass such as Maddie was mistreated as much as she was, was it really better for her to live?” Father gazed thoughtfully at his hands. “You know I believe in heaven, and I would have slept better many nights knowing the lass rested in heaven in God’s hands instead of in Kenneth MacDonald’s hands. But the book tells us to have faith in our God, so that is what I did, and I said many prayers for the lass.

“Now, the Comming is another bad story, but not one I was witness to. I can only tell you what I heard. Kenneth betrothed her to the Comming and then gave her to him before they were wed as part of an agreement, but I don’t know what agreement. The night the Comming took her, the servants could hear her screams all over the keep, and after he was done with her, he threw her out in the corridor. She was found unconscious lying in a pool of blood. Again, Alice nursed her back to health. Kenneth is a sick, sick man, and I do not doubt that if he is still alive, he is plotting something against Madeline. He truly hated her, but I don’t know why. So I wish you luck, my son. I hope you find him before he finds her.