True to the Highlander(46)

“And I thought our politics were a tangled mess,” Alethia muttered. “This place is a regular soap opera.”




Alethia surveyed their camp from the top of a small rise. Tents and wagons hugged the banks of the river they followed. She stretched aching muscles and started to walk, eager to take advantage of the freedom to explore.

“Lady True,” Beth called.

She turned and waited as Tieren pulled Beth along by the hand.

“The lad has a question he wants to ask ye.”

Tieren spoke rapidly in Gaelic to Beth, signing at the same time.

“He wants to know what this sign means.”

Puzzled, Alethia frowned. “Sign it again.” He did, and she smiled at the silliness of young boys. “It means horse poop.” As Beth translated, Tieren’s expression changed rapidly from disbelief to outrage. He ran off. “What do you suppose that was about?”

“Och, no tellin’. Do ye want me to accompany ye on yer walk?”

“No. I just need to stretch my legs.” She waved her off and walked toward the hills. It would be good to have a few moments alone to think about everything she’d learned today. She let her mind go, relishing the coolness of the air against her skin and the ground beneath her feet.

She was on the crest of her second hill when she saw Liam on the far side. Preoccupied, he surveyed the surrounding area. As she approached, she couldn’t help but pick up on the strong emotions emanating from him. His feelings of yearning, frustration and anger revolved around a woman, that much she could tell. He turned at the sound of her footsteps.

“Good eve, Lady True.” Liam smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Why are you troubled, Liam? Will she be there?”

His body tensed, and he looked away from her. “Is who going to be where?”

“The woman occupying your thoughts, will she be at the fair? Would you like to talk about her?” His eyes searched hers, and she sensed his overwhelming turmoil.

“Mayhap you are the only one I can talk to about this.” He let out a long sigh and looked out over the expanse of wilderness. “I must ask you to keep my secret to yourself.”

“Of course, but it can’t be as bad as you think.”

“Aye, it can.” He glanced at her. “I love the daughter of our most bitter enemy. I want to make her mine, but I dinna dare. She will be at the fair, and it pains me we must pretend we are strangers.” His hand went to the hilt of the dirk at his belt. “What I feel for her is honorable. I have pledged my heart. Yet we must meet in secret, sneaking behind everyone’s backs to steal a few moments together.” Bitterness and anger filled his tone. He held himself as if ready to do battle. “If her father should discover our secret, I fear to think what would become of her. He is a cruel man and has beaten her for far less.”

“Have you considered eloping? Isn’t there somewhere you could take her?”

“I have considered every possibility. There is no place we could go. Should we be discovered, ’twould lead to bloodshed.” Liam raked a hand through his hair. “The enmity between our two clans runs deep and harks back to the days of Robert the Bruce.” He plowed his fingers through his hair. “Highland clans have long memories, lass. The Comyn laird is my lady’s father. He’s a ruthless tyrant, and he sees his daughter as naught but a pawn to be used for his own gain. ’Twill no’ be long before he’s arranged a marriage for her. That I canna bear.”

Liam’s anguish tugged at her heart, and Alethia reached out to touch his arm. “I’m sorry. Does Malcolm know?”

“Nay. I have told no one.”

She brought her thumbnail to her mouth and thought about his situation for a few moments. William and Lydia’s story still fresh in her mind led her to believe something could be done. Malcolm would fix it. He could do anything. “I think you should tell him. No one can hold a woman responsible for what her father does. We can figure something out. Don’t give up.”

“You dinna know our ways, lass.” Liam shrugged.

She turned at the sound of footsteps to see Malcolm striding up the hill toward them.

He nodded a greeting. “Hunter and Tieren are at it again, lass. There is need for you in camp, and ’tis almost time to take our evening meal.”

“What have the lads done now?” Liam asked. “I vowed to Tieren’s mother I would be responsible for him on our journey. Am I needed as well?”

“Nay, Liam. What they both need is a bath.” Malcolm grinned. “Hunter has given Tieren a sobriquet that does not please him.”