Dangerous Pride (51 page)

Satisfied that Rory would ready the men and supplies, Lachlan returned to the castle in search of his wife.  She wasn’t in their chambers, which pleased him.  The lass had spent too much time alone of late, and he was relieved to see that she was finally ready to seek out the company of others.  The staff he questioned had seen neither hide nor hair of the lass, and it was some time before he found her, ensconced in her new school room.  As he slowly opened the door, he was heartened by the sound of her laughter, accompanied by innocent, childish giggling.

“What trouble do I find you in now, wife?” he said, pretending to be indignant as he walked into the room.  The smile on Catriona’s face warmed his heart.  She sat at a chair behind her huge oak desk, an assortment of books open in front of her.  To her right sat a sheet of paper, on which she had scrawled notes about her plans for lessons for the students.

Niall, the only student in the room, sat tall and proud at one of the small tables, smiling at his master’s tone.  “Yer lady is doin’ her teachin’ on me, laird,” he said, his face bright.  “She does no’ want tae have school with the other bairns until she has time tae practice with me!”

“Well then, yer a most important lad, Niall,” Lachlan replied, rumpling the child’s dark locks affectionately.  “And I’ll rest easy since my lady is safe in yer company.”

“Ye can count on me,” the boy beamed, his chest bursting with pride.

“Might I steal my wife away for a wee minute?” Lachlan asked as Catriona stood, her arm around his waist as he drew her next to him.  The lad solemnly nodded his permission, and Lachlan sent him off to the kitchen to beg a snack from his grandmother.  The sound of the boy racing down the hall made them both laugh, though Catriona could see the telltale signs of tension in her husband.

“You might as well tell me,” she said finally, stiffening her spine against whatever ill news he brought with him.  “It’s plain enough that something is bothering you.”

“There’s naught for you to concern yerself about.  I’ve received word from the Baron that we are to join him and the Duke at Dunnotar.  Seems that some overly enthusiastic Jacobites have taken the castle and settled in for the winter. It looks like the rest of us will spend these long months freezing our ballocks off until they come to their senses.”

“Lachlan!” Catriona chastised, but she could not help the color that spread across her cheeks.  “And you must join them as well?”

“Aye, lass.  If we do no’ lend our arms to Queen Anne, like as not we will fall out of favor.  And we canna afford that – as it is the situation with the Queen and her advisors is too volatile for me to want to risk it.  There’s naught we can do but go along for the ride.  It is no’ likely the situation will come to blows.  In time, I think, the Duke will realize how pointless it all is and send us home. But not before he has a chance to test our loyalty – and our mettle.”

Lachlan was heartened at the look of disappointment that crossed Catriona’s pretty features.  It was obvious she was not looking forward to his departure, and like as not she would miss him while he was gone, too.  Though he wasn’t looking forward to the cold nights he would spend camped outside Dunnotar, he had little doubt that he would enjoy a very warm homecoming.

Sadness swept over Catriona as she stood before her husband, her bright mood crushed by the realization that she could be without his company for a good while.  They’d spent little time apart in recent weeks, and she’d come to rely upon his strength and affection more than she cared to admit.  Having found the one person who accepted and valued her for who she was, so she was loathe to be separated from him.  “I will miss you,” she said slowly, raising a hand to stroke his cheek.  Covering her hand with his own, he brought it to his lips, gently kissing her palm.  “Promise me you will come back safe.”

Lachlan pulled his wife close, resting his chin on her  head as she snuggled deeper within his warm embrace.  “I’ll be back soon enough, lass – that I promise you,” he whispered into her hair.  “You will no’ be rid of me that easily.”

###

The Forbes men departed Tolquhon two days later.  They’d had barely enough time to prepare their supplies, weapons and armor, and Lachlan was in a foul mood by the time they left.  It was bad enough that he was leaving his wife behind so soon after she had lost the babe, but to depart for a fool’s errand such as this was almost more than he could stomach.  Most of the thirty men who rode with him were in a better mood, however, anxious to prove their worthiness to both their laird and their Queen.

Lachlan had sent a runner ahead to advise the Baron that he would be arriving with his men within a few days of having received the call to arms.  They had received word that there had been no signs of trouble on the path to Dunnotar, and Lachlan suspected the trip would pass easily enough.

He could only hope that the same ease would be felt by the people left inside his castle.  He hadn’t been willing to leave until he had extracted a firm promise from his mother to watch over Catriona, and to make sure that the lass did not spend too much time alone, brooding.  He knew the school would give her something to fill her days, but he couldn’t bear that thought that she would feel alone without him.

There was also the continued worry about Calum Leslie, a fear that was heightened now that the entire area knew the Laird of Tolquhon had left to join the Queen’s forces.  The castle would be viewed as vulnerable in the absence of its laird, and Lachlan had taken every possible precaution to ensure nothing went awry during his absence.  Not only had he hand-picked the men he left behind, to be lead by Rory, but he’d taken only a small contingent of warriors with him to Dunnotar.  He had not wanted to leave Tolquhon any more vulnerable than absolutely necessary.

Iain had promised to look in on his sister from time-to-time, but Lachlan hoped this wouldn’t be necessary.  With any luck, the Duke would realize his folly soon after the forces arrived at Dunnotar.  It was also possible that all he wanted to do was test their loyalty.  Either outcome promised a speedy return to Tolquhon, which was all Lachlan really wanted.

It was the thought of returning home that gave him a small measure of solace as the party made its way to Dunnotar, every mile putting greater distance between himself and the woman who had come to mean more to him than his own life.

###

The days passed more quickly than Catriona would have thought possible.  Though she missed her husband terribly, her kinsmen seemed to sense her sadness, and did everything in their power to fill her days with purpose.  Quinton consulted with her regularly about matters Lachlan would have seen to had he been in residence.  Though Catriona knew none of the issues were urgent, she appreciated the seneschal’s thoughtful attempts to involve her in the day-to-day running of the castle.

In fact, Quinton’s wife had also risen to the challenge of keeping Catriona’s mind off Lachlan’s absence.  In the days that followed his departure, Mairi had taken it upon herself to recruit several new students for Catriona’s fledgling school.  Each day saw another new student joining the class, and Catriona’s heart warmed with pride at the thought of the support she received from Lachlan’s people.  She knew many of the students would not attend school for long, but there were others in whom she saw a tremendous appetite for learning.  It was those students who gave her the sense of purpose she needed more than ever before.

Because many of the children had responsibilities around the keep, Catriona kept the school limited to just three hours a day.  In the mornings, she would arrive early to plan the day’s lesson, and after the pupils had left, she would often linger for several hours to review the work they had completed during the class, and to manage her own correspondence.  Cook had written to her as soon as she had received word of Catriona’s illness, and these small gestures of support helped her to cope with her grief.

The dowager had been unexpectedly supportive, having suffered similar losses herself during her long marriage.  But as much as Annella tried to support her, it was difficult for the maid to understand the depth of Catriona’s grief.  Fortunately, the fact that Annella was distracted by events in her own life pleased Catriona, for she took joy in seeing her friend blossom.  Though Annella refused to discuss her relationship with Rory at any length, Catriona suspected there was a great deal more between the couple than Annella would admit.

The thought that her best friend might find happiness with a man dear to her own husband was a blessing to Catriona.  Some time earlier, Catriona had discovered a cottage on the outskirts of the village that had stood empty since the death of its occupant the previous spring.  As soon as Lachlan returned, she intended to suggest that it would make a suitable home for Rory.  With any luck, she reasoned, there might be another wedding at Tolquhon in the very near future.  And God willing, the nurseries might be filled in short order.

In the weeks that had followed Catriona’s illness, it had become clear to all around her that she was unwilling to even consider the possibility that she had been deliberately poisoned.  The prospect was simply too terrifying for her to consider.  Catriona preferred to believe that the entire situation had been an accident, probably brought about by food or drink that simply did not agree with her.  She couldn’t bring herself to suspect the very people who had made her feel valued and welcome for the first time in her life.

As Lachlan’s absence grew longer, Catriona began to feel a sense of restlessness, and a desire to explore beyond the walls of the castle.  Having endured a long stretch of dismal, grey days, the weather finally beckoned her with the promise of clear skies and a warming, fresh breeze.  More spring than winter, the day begged to be enjoyed.  After taking her breakfast in the great hall with Annella and the dowager, Catriona made her way to Lachlan’s study.  She found Quinton hard at work, staring at a row of figures in an effort to reconcile the clan’s records.  It took all her powers of persuasion, but by the time she left the room the seneschal had agreed to have the lads saddle her horse, and to provide her with an escort for her  ride.  Delighted with her success in convincing a man not normally easily persuaded, she dashed to her room to change into warmer clothes.

When Catriona left her chambers, she was surprised to see Fiona waiting in the hallway outside her room.  The lass had never been particularly friendly with her, always treating her with a reserve that was almost disrespectful.  It was unusual for her to venture to the area of the castle that housed the family’s private chambers.  “Sorry I am tae trouble ye, my lady,” Fiona offered, giving Catriona a slight curtsey.  “Me da said yer goin’ ridin’ today.  Is it true?”

Catriona merely nodded, too distracted by the girl’s calculated expression to elaborate.  There was a shadow to Fiona’s dark eyes that was unsettling, almost as if the girl could see through to Catriona’s soul and had found it wanting.  Though her behavior was respectful enough, there was an undercurrent to Fiona’s actions that Catriona couldn’t quite name.

Fiona hurried on, as if sensing her mistress’ discomfort.  “It is just that me auntie Caroline has taken sick, an’ me mither was hopin’ ye’d be willin’ to take her some medicine,” Fiona replied, her eyes downcast.  Her full lips were taut, her hands fisted at her sides, giving evidence of her nervousness in speaking with the lady of the keep.

Compassion stirred in Catriona’s breast as she silently chastised herself for judging the girl so harshly.  Fiona was fond of her aunt, and the woman’s illness had clearly upset her.  “It’s naught serious, I hope,” she replied, genuinely concerned about the well-being of a woman who had been very kind to her.  Caroline was very much like her sister, Mairi, both of whom seemed to have little in common with the young woman who stood before her now.

“It is no’ that serious, my lady, but me mither will be much happier if she kens Caroline has the medicine,” Fiona replied, slowly withdrawing from Catriona’s touch.  “Would ye mind takin’ it when ye are out ridin’ today?  But only if it does no’ put ye out overmuch.”

Catriona could see no reason to refuse the girl, and in truth, she wanted to help Caroline recover as quickly as possible.  In the long, damp winter months, it wasn’t uncommon for simple colds and fevers to turn deadly in a short span of time.  She was far too fond of Caroline to risk that eventuality.  And besides, she decided, her mind would rest easier when she had checked on the woman herself.  “Of course I’ll take the medicine, Fiona.  I’ll go to the kitchens right now to fetch it from yer mither.”

“Oh, ye need no’, my lady,” Fiona replied hastily as she reached into the pocket of her apron, then stretched out her hand out with a small sack.  “Me mither sent the medicine with me tae give tae ye straight away. She said ye are no’ tae waste any time, but that ye should get on yer way so yer home afore the weather changes.”

Surprised at the lass’ thoroughness, Catriona thanked her and took the medicine, promising to report back to the ladies on Caroline’s condition when she returned later in the day.  When she reached the stables, she was delighted to see that her horse had been saddled, and that it was waiting for her along with her escort.  As Kenneth helped her into the saddle, he asked about her plans for their excursion.  “I would like to go to Dumbreck to visit with Mairi’s sister, and then perhaps down to the burn for a spell,” she replied as she tucked her skirts in around her legs.  “I was hoping that we would make a day of it,” she added, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

“I thought ye might say that, my lady,” Kenneth answered, chuckling at her enthusiasm.  “I stopped in the kitchen for a spell afore ye came.  Mairi made us a bite tae eat, so we will no’ go hungry,” he added, reaching back to pat the bag that hung behind his saddle.  “Nor we will have need tae hurry back.”

Catriona felt a sense of renewal as she and Kenneth traveled the well-worn path to Caroline’s village.  Grateful to be outside the walls of Tolquhon, she had found new joy in the beauty of her surroundings.  The trees had all turned brown, and most had lost their leaves, but the burn still ran freely, not yet blocked by ice.  The sky was bright, a robin’s egg blue, and Catriona considered herself fortunate indeed to be enjoying a respite from the dark, dreary onset of winter.