The Silent Highlander by Donna Fletcher

Chapter 26

Odran felt his wife’s ache, her helplessness in not being able to help Lendra in the way she buried herself tightly against him. She could have continued to argue as he made his way to the keep, but she didn’t, and her silence worried him. “You have my word, wife, I will do my best to get Lendra moved to her cottage.” He felt her sigh against him and he hugged her closer.

“You always keep your word to me. I have no worry about that,” she said and another sigh followed, the burden to see Lendra kept safe weighing heavily on her. “She didn’t do this, Odran.”

“It does not bode well when Deara’s last word was to blame Lendra,” Odran reminded.

“There must be more to it.”

Odran hurried his steps, the rain growing heavier. They were both soaked by the time they entered the Great Hall. Dorrit saw towels brought to them, but they would need to change into dry garments.

“What is this I hear about you seeing Lendra when I ordered no one was to speak to her,” Fergus demanded, rising and walking around the dais where he was seated talking to Finch.

Odran stepped in front of his wife. “Temper your voice and manner when you speak to my wife, Da.”

Fergus halted abruptly, his son’s command surprising him. “She disobeyed my order.”

“Elysia is worried for her servant, a good woman who has no reason to kill Deara.”

Elysia felt a jump to her heart that her husband defended not only her but Lendra as well.

“Deara condemned her with her dying breath,” his da argued.

“Unless her dying words were misunderstood. We need to make certain we hang the guilty person responsible for Deara’s death, and see if the person could have been responsible for Glenis’s death, or possibly suffer another innocent woman being murdered,” Odran said.

His da raised a questionable brow.

“What would a few days matter?” Odran asked.

“Unrest will grow in the clan,” his da argued.

“Not if it is made known that we wish to make certain the guilty person is hung, protecting more innocent women from being murdered.”

Elysia was impressed with the way Odran handled the matter and presented a reasonable explanation for it—his clan’s safety. He would lead the clan wisely and fairly one day.

Finch had approached them but had remained a distance back, he stepped forward offering his thoughts. “Lord Odran has a point. There could be more to these murders than can be seen. And I must say, Deara and Lendra got along well from what I saw. Deara remarked to me a few times how glad she was that Lady Elysia’s servant was so kind. It seemed strange to me that Deara would accuse Lendra.”

“Stranger things can happen,” Fergus remarked. “But I do see your point. It would be better we condemn and punish the guilty one and not an innocent one.”

Elysia poked her husband in the back, reminding him to ask about Lendra being moved. She would have spoken up herself, but she thought it wiser she held her tongue and let her husband request it.

“The hut where Lendra is being held is in shambles, Da, especially with this rain. It would be wise to move Lendra to her cottage and keep a guard outside the door, since it will be a few days before anything is decided.”

Fergus nodded. “I agree. Have her moved.”

“Also, I want my wife to be able to visit Lendra whenever she wants to,” Odran said with a firmness that made it known he would have it no other way.”

Elysia wanted to throw herself into her husband’s arms and kiss him for making sure she would be able to see Lendra and for having time to prove Lendra innocent.

“I suppose she would harangue me until she gets her way,” Fergus said, shaking his head. “Women—they can be a mettlesome lot.”

Elysia stepped from behind her husband. “But think what life would be like without a woman in your life—Da.”

Fergus glared at her. “You are,” —his glare turned to a soft smile— “the resilient and determined daughter I had always hoped to have. Now go get dry before you grow ill.”

“First, I must see to Lendra,” Elysia said and turned to hurry off.

Odran grabbed her arm before she was out of his reach. “Finch will see to that.”

Finch stepped forward. “Aye, I will see that Lendra is settled in her cottage.”

“What about Crissa?” Elysia asked with concern, feeling guilty she had yet to look in on the woman.

“She sleeps, her healing more tiring than she expected. I think it might be wise for us to delay our departure a few more days,” Finch said.

“I agree,” Elysia said with a nod. “I will look in on her at first chance.”

Fergus looked at his son, dripping with rainwater. “Get yourself dry then meet me in my solar. There are some clan matters we need to discuss.”

Odran and Elysia hurried out of their garments once in their bedchamber.

Elysia grabbed a towel from a stack on a small stool not far from the hearth and went to her husband and began drying his wet chest. “I am grateful for what you did for Lendra.”

“Did you doubt I would?” he asked, her gentle, slow strokes with the towel testing his control.

“Fear of not being able to save Lendra from a punishment she didn’t deserve blinded me to any sensible thought. I think of her as family, since she made sure to help me after I was left on my own.”

“I understand that, since I saw it for myself. We will work on finding the truth together,” he said and snatched the towel out of her hand to wrap it around her and ease her up against him. “Why is it I can never get enough of you?”

She loved the feel of his naked body pressed against hers, loved that his stiff shaft poked at her, letting her know how much he wanted her. “We can never get enough of each other.”

He dropped the towel, all thoughts to dry themselves abandoned, and his hands went to her waist to lift her, their lips connected in a heated kiss as her legs locked tight around his waist. It was a quick, needy joining that had come on suddenly, a need to reaffirm that nothing stood in the way of their love.

She tore her mouth away from his. “I can’t wait.”

He rushed her to the bed. “Either can I.”

It was a quick and explosive climax for them both as they attempted to stifle their roars of pleasure, fearful they would echo throughout the keep.

Elysia rested her head on her husband’s shoulder, spent yet strangely invigorated with the pleasurable satisfaction that settled in her.

Odran’s labored breath didn’t stop him from whispering near her ear, “I love you with all my heart, Elysia.”

His warm breath sent a tickle through her that caused her body to shudder and briefly delayed her response. “Not as much as I love you.”

He chuckled. “I would not take a wager on that, wife.”

They lingered for a bit, not in a hurry to part, then reluctantly dried what rainwater remained on them and got dressed.

“I would prefer to spend the rest of the day in bed with you and pleasure you often, but there is too much that needs our attention,” Odran said.

“That is a tempting and teasing thought that we can see fulfilled another day,” she said, storing the idea away for a day not far in the future. “I thought to speak with Stiles and hear for myself what Deara said to him.”

“I will finish with my da, then I’ll have Stiles brought to the keep and we can speak with him together,” Odran said. “I’ll not have you getting soaked again. You will remain in the keep.”

“Is that an order, my lord?” she asked half-jestingly.

He countered with a half-jesting question of his own. “Is it necessary I make it one?”

A servant called out before a knock sounded at their door, leaving no time for Elysia to respond.

“My lord, a visitor has arrived and Lord Fergus bids you to hurry.”

Odran looked to his wife. “I know you are anxious about Lendra, but do not let your worry blind you. I worry you will do something foolish and I will be too late to keep you safe.” He turned and went to the door, swinging it open. “Who has arrived?”

“Cadell, my lord,” the servant said.

Elysia heard the servant’s reply as if she stood in the distance, her mind on her husband’s remark. She had to remember that the curse haunted him and made him worry endlessly about her. He was burdened enough. She did not need to add to that burden.

“Tell my father I will be right there,” Odran said and the man turned and hurried to the steps.

Elysia was prepared when her husband turned to face her. “I will not make you worry needlessly, husband.” His handsome smile displayed his gratitude. “I do, however, have a request of you.”

“You want to ask Cadell if he knows anything about Bliss before my da and I talk with him, since the warriors have yet to return from delivering Bram to Clan MacClaren with a reply to your message to your sister.” He stretched his hand out to her.

Elysia hurried to take it. “You do know me well, Odran.”

He kissed her quick. “That knowledge will only grow stronger with all the years ahead we have with each other.” He took her hand and ushered her out the door, praying his words would ring true.

They entered the Great Hall to find Cadell seated at a table close to the hearth, his wet garments in dire need of drying. Food and drink had been placed in front of him and Lord Fergus sat opposite him, a tankard in his hand.

“What brings you here, Cadell?” Odran asked when he and Elysia reached the table.

“On my way to Clan MacRae with word for Lord Balloch about Brogan.” Cadell gave a nod to Elysia. “He followed after that fool sister of yours and she has gotten him into endless trouble.”

“Annis has not been harmed, has she?” Elysia asked.

“Did you not hear me say she has gotten Lord Brogan in trouble?” Cadell asked, annoyed.

“Watch your tone with my wife?” Odran warned with a spark of anger in his voice and eyes that had Cadell hastily apologizing.

Cadell respectfully bobbed his head. “Forgive me, my lady.”

“Do you know anything about how Annis does?” Elysia asked, anxious to learn anything she could about her sister.

“Only that she leads Brogan on a senseless quest and since he feels responsible for her, he refuses to leave her side. He ordered me home and when I return there his father will order me after him again. It is an endless cycle of uselessness.”

“And Bliss? Have you heard any word on Bliss?” Elysia asked, hopeful for the smallest word.

Cadell seemed reluctant to respond.

Lord Fergus was the one to say, “Speak up, Cadell, and tell Lady Elysia what you know.”

He followed the order with hesitancy, not at all in agreement with it. “I heard that Lord Rannick is not at all pleased with his new wife and is making things difficult for her.”

Elysia was quick to ask, “How so?”

“That I couldn’t say since such word has been heard throughout the village and not supported by anything other than wagging tongues,” Cadell said.

Elysia didn’t believe him for one minute. He was well aware of what was going on, though felt she shouldn’t be granted the same privilege. She doubted any amount of prodding would help and reluctantly she let it be. Of course, it helped knowing Bram would send honest words to her about Bliss.

“I have news for you, Lord Fergus and Lord Odran,” Cadell said, turning his attention to the two men.

That he made it clear that he would speak to only the two men, Elysia went to excuse herself, but her husband’s commanding words stopped her.

“The news will wait until my wife is finished with her questions for you.”

“Of course, my lord. It’s just that little information is available,” Cadell explained and gave a brief nod to Odran. “You are aware yourself that shortly after Lord Rannick was returned home from foreign shores, he was moved to a cottage a distance from the village and the keep to assuage the fear of the clan. Lady Bliss was left there to contend with him and last I heard, no one has seen or heard from her since.”

Elysia was grateful for her husband’s arm that coiled around her waist and helped support her trembling legs. Dreadful thoughts of what may have happened to her sister raced through her head.

“That is all the information I know or have heard,” Cadell said.

“I am grateful for any news of my sister Bliss,” Elysia said, the strength returning to her legs. A visit to Bliss to see her sister for herself was needed and once the situation with Lendra was solved and settled, she would insist her husband take her. Or she would make the trip alone. “I will leave you men to talk, while I see to how Crissa does.”

“I thought I saw some of Lord Cowan’s men. Has amends been made between the MacBridan and MacFarden, through marriage perhaps?” Cadell asked. “Lord Balloch and Lord Lochlann will be pleased to hear such good news with the unrest that has gone on lately.”

“We will discuss that after you deliver the news you have brought to us,” Lord Fergus said.

Elysia gave her husband’s arm a squeeze and turned a smile on him before she hurried off, leaving him to talk. She intended to see how Crissa was doing, then Lady Margaret and fetch her sewing basket while there and hopefully her husband would be finished with Cadell by then and they could speak with Stiles. She also hoped the rain turned to a trickle so she could make sure Lendra was safe in her cottage.

She tapped on the door, but received no answer. Worried that Crissa might not be doing well, she eased the door open. A chill hit her and she saw that the fire had dwindled down in the hearth. She had to make her way carefully over to the fireplace since the only light came from the dying embers. She bumped her leg twice, on what she wasn’t sure, before reaching the hearth. She threw some kindling in and the embers sparked it to life. She quickly added logs and more kindling and soon she had a roaring fire going. The room would be bathed in warmth in no time.

“Lady Elysia.”

Elysia turned to the voice weak with sleep and her eyes popped wide with shock. She hurried to Crissa’s outstretched hand covered with blood. She threw back the thick blanket and the blanket and bedding beneath were drenched with blood.

“Our bairn. Our bairn. I’ve lost our bairn,” Crissa cried.

Elysia was grateful that a servant lass appeared in the open doorway with a bucket of water, fresh ones left outside the door of each bedchamber throughout the day.

“Hurry and fetch Dorrit,” Elysia ordered and the lass deposited the bucket by the door and ran off.

* * *

Cadell looked questionablyto Lord Fergus when Finch entered the Great Hall and Fergus bid him to join them.

Fergus ignored his silent query. “Tell us what news you bring.”

“Lord Rannick sent word that more clans join with those who wish to see his son, Lord Rannick, Lord Brogan, and Lord Odran dead so that they never father any bairns and the curse will finally die and allow them to live in peace. He worries that surrounding clans will unite and see the deed done. He urges that Lord Odran get his wife with child and he has made it clear to Lady Bliss that she is obligated to get with child right away or suffer the consequences.”

“You failed to tell my wife that,” Odran said.

“Forgive me, my lord, but I thought it best she did not know that, for I’m sure she worries enough over her sister without hearing such troubling news,” Cadell said.

For some reason Cadell didn’t strike him as a thoughtful man, but then he had a hefty chore to watch over Brogan, since Brogan never made it an easy task.

“Perhaps the clans are right,” Lord Fergus said. “Perhaps it is time for the curse to die.”

Cadell drew his head back in shock. “You cannot be serious, Lord Fergus. With all the three clans have suffered through the years, in the end to surrender to the curse is unthinkable. Lawler has made it clear to me that surrender is not something Lord Lochlann would even consider. And he has suffered more greatly than you and Lord Balloch. He will not let the Clan MacClaren die.”

“He may not have a choice if Lord Rannick refuses to father a child,” Odran said, thinking on his talks with Rannick and Brogan through the years, especially Rannick. Losing his first wife had been difficult for Rannick, having blamed himself for allowing his father to talk him into marriage. His second wife’s death was worse and the loss of his third wife, a lovely innocent lass Rannick had barely known, completely destroyed him.

“Lord Lochlann has faith in Bliss and with her being a healer he believes she has a far better chance of seeing the task done and getting with child,” Cadell said.

“Lord Lochlann can do as he sees fit, but my decision has been made,” Lord Fergus said. “There will be no future MacBridan. The clan ends with Odran. I will not inflict such suffering on future heirs. And I’ll hear no more on it.” He pointed to Finch. “Make Lord Lochlann aware that Finch is now chieftain of the Clan MacFarden. Chieftain Cowan met an unfortunate death while visiting here. He fell down the keep steps and broke his neck.”

Cadell stared at him, speechless.

Lord Fergus offered a brief explanation. “With Crissa carrying Finch’s bairn and being Cowan’s eldest daughter, it is only right that Finch be made chieftain.”

“I’m sure Lord Lochlann will be pleased with the news since the Clan MacFarden will be strongly loyal to the Clan MacBridan,” Cadell said, recovering from the shocking revelation.

Odran had been half listening to his da talk and half watching a string of servants run through the Great Hall and up the stairs. He didn’t think anything of it at first, but when he spotted the buckets of water being carried, he grew alarmed.

He stood. “Too many servants run about. Something is amiss.” With that he headed to the stairs. Finch followed quickly behind him.

Cadell looked about to jump up and join the two men.

“Tell me what else Lord Lochlann has to say,” Lord Fergus said, keeping the man in his seat confident his son could handle whatever was amiss.

* * *

Odran followedthe servant that had headed up the stairs and was relieved it wasn’t his mum’s bedchamber the lass went to. He felt for Finch as soon as he stopped in the open doorway and spotted the bloody bedding on the floor.

Crissa sat in bed, the bedding freshly changed as well as her garment, with tears rolling down her cheeks. His wife spoke softly to her as she braided her hair with gentle care.

Finch hurried around Odran. “Crissa?”

Crissa burst into tears and threw her arms out to Finch. “I lost our bairn.”

Elysia stepped away from the bed, making room for Finch as he hurried to Crissa and took her into his arms.

Odran saw the tears that pooled in his wife’s eyes and how her hand went to rest at her stomach. He stared at her hand a moment, then looked to the bloody sheets on the floor, then his glance returned to his wife and how her hand protectively rested on her stomach.

How long had it been since she had her last monthly bleed? They made love almost daily since their arrival here. He looked to the sheets again. She hadn’t bled. Was it possible? Could she be with child? But she was taking the brew. Or was she? She had never answered him when he had asked her. Had she purposely stopped taking it? She wouldn’t do that. She knew too well how he felt about fathering a bairn.

This was not a question that could wait. He took a step into the room, his large presence causing all but Finch and Crissa to look his way. The servants’ eyes did not stay on him, but his wife’s eyes did and he waved her over to him.

He took her hand and led her to their bedchamber and once the door closed, he didn’t hesitate to ask, “Are you with child?”