The Highlander Series(99)
The one card that Ewan held was the fact that Mairin was David’s niece, and surely he would listen to her accounting of the events. Women weren’t heard in such matters, but Ewan couldn’t imagine the king ignoring the word of his own blood.
“Ready our horses and the men,” Ewan ordered his brothers. “I’ll go tell Mairin we’re to leave posthaste.”
Two hours later, with the arrival of McDonald and McLauren men to fortify the McCabe keep, Ewan and his men set off. Mairin rode in front of Ewan. A litter was carried at the end in case she wearied of the horse, but until such time came, Ewan wanted her as close to him as possible.
The clansmen gathered to see them off, worry marring each of their faces. The farewell was somber and tense, and prayers were whispered for the safe return of their laird and his lady.
They didn’t travel as hard as Ewan might have in other circumstances. They stopped for the night before dusk fell and set up the tents and built several fires around the perimeter.
Ewan posted guards in turns around the area, as well as outside his and Mairin’s tent. Mairin didn’t sleep well, nor did she eat well. She was nervous and on edge, and the closer they got to Carlisle Castle, the deeper the shadows were under her eyes.
Ewan’s men were just as tense and silent, as if they were mentally preparing for war. Ewan couldn’t dispute that they might very well be going to war. Not just against Cameron, but against the crown.
Such an action would brand them as outlaws for the rest of their days. Life hadn’t been easy for the McCabes these last eight years, but it would only get worse once there was a price on their heads.
On the fifth day of their journey, Ewan sent Diormid ahead to announce their impending arrival and also to find out if Cameron had already arrived and what the mood was at court.
They paused in their travel and Ewan coaxed Mairin to eat while they awaited Diormid’s return.
“I don’t want you to worry,” he murmured.
She raised her head until her gaze met his and her blue eyes shone with love. “I have faith in you, Ewan.”
Ewan turned when he heard a rider approaching. He left Mairin to greet Diormid who’d returned from the castle.
His face was set into a grim line. “I have instructions from the king’s man. You’re to leave your men outside the walls of the castle. You and Mairin are to be escorted inside at which point Mairin will be placed under the protection of the king until the situation has been resolved. You will have your own quarters until you are called to give testimony.”
“And Cameron?” Ewan demanded.
“Also housed in separate quarters. Mairin is to be held in the king’s private wing under heavy guard.”
Ewan didn’t even consider that dictate. “She does not leave me. She will take up residence in my quarters.” He turned to his brothers and his three trusted commanders. “You will also accompany me inside the palace walls. There will be times when I must leave Mairin to attend our king, and I don’t want her without protection for the barest of moments.”
“Aye, Laird. We’ll guard her with our lives,” Gannon vowed.
“See that you do.”
They rode the hour’s journey to the castle and when they neared, they were met by a small contingent of the king’s soldiers and escorted to the castle walls.
On the east side of the walls, Cameron’s men had taken up residence, their tents bearing Cameron’s insignia and the banners flying from atop the structures. Ewan gestured for his men to camp on the western side and instructed them to remain alert at all times.
When his men departed, only Ewan and Mairin, Caelen and Alaric, and Ewan’s three commanders that he had charged with Mairin’s safety were left.
They rode down the long bridge over the moat and through the stone, arched gateway leading into the courtyard. Court was well attended at present and many stopped to watch as Ewan and his men came to a stop.
As the king’s man-at-arms surveyed those in attendance with Ewan, he greeted Ewan with a frown. Ewan lowered Mairin down to Alaric and then swung from his saddle and pulled Mairin to his side.
“I’m to escort the Lady Mairin to her private quarters,” the man-at-arms said as he approached.
Ewan drew his sword and pointed it at the man, who stopped in his tracks. “My wife stays with me.”
“The king has not issued his judgment on the matter.”
“It matters not. My wife will not leave my sight. Are we understood?”
The soldier frowned. “The king will hear of this.”
“I expect he will. You may also tell him that my lady wife is with child, and that she has journeyed a long way for this farce of a hearing. I am not pleased to have taken her from our home in a time she should be cared for.”