Twenty

 

 

 

Heath wanted desperately to hide, hide from his clan, and all the problems that seemed to swarm him since his return home. He needed to go after Lillia, but the call came alerting all within the walls that someone was at the gate. He yearned to reassure Lillia of his heart and that he no longer wanted to pursue his servitude. Somehow he’d figure out a way to do so, and until then, she’d be despaired. He didn’t like it one wee bit. This was the worse time to receive visitors. He only hoped it wasn’t James or the king’s army.

On his approach to the gate, he met John and Lagan, his father’s most trusted men. They’d now be his council and help him as he figured out how best to proceed with the clan. Since his father was confined to his chamber, he’d decide whether the visitors would be permitted entry. He would have gladly left the command to his brother, but Roderick wasn’t up to taking on his duties yet.

“’Tis but the Hunter clan, Laird,” John said.

Heath frowned at being called such. “I’m not laird, John, and ye shouldn’t address me as such.”

“Och your father bid us to. He said ye might as well get used to being called laird since you’ll be taking over his duties,” Lagan said.

“Now that Roderick has returned, that is not so. He will be laird, not I.”

“Aye, but ye are laird for now,” John said with a big grin, “Should we allow Hunter within the walls? Looks like he’s come with company.”

Heath turned and noticed Aylmer right off, for he stood taller than most. He hadn’t met those he traveled with, but they weren’t of the Hunter clan. Heath was certain of that. His council should be called upon, but the Hunters were longtime allies. He nodded. “Aye, raise the gate and allow them entrance.”

Aylmer dismounted and led his horse by the reins. “Heath,” he said in an uncivil tone.

“Laird Hunter, you are welcome. But I ken not who joins you.” He motioned to the men standing beyond him.

Aylmer scoffed and disregarded his followers. “I’ve come to collect my daughter. Where is she?”

“How did you know she was here?”

“James Douglas sent me a message. I want to see her at once.”

“About that …”

“I’ve brought her groom. The Sinclairs are of a forgiving nature. Her betrothed wants to retrieve what belongs to him, his bride. We shall finally get this wedding behind us.”

Heath grumbled a curse. He couldn’t send them away without incurring the wrath of the Hunters and the Sinclairs. Aylmer, at least, deserved an explanation. He couldn’t care less about the Sinclairs.

“Allow the Sinclairs entrance, but have them come and await Hunter in the courtyard.” Heath walked forward with Hunter trailing. Hunter spoke with his lad, indicating the care of his horse. Heath took the opportunity to have a word with his mother who he met at the door.

“Who comes? Should I be worried?”

“Nay, it’s only Hunter and he’s brought the Sinclairs.”

“Oh no. Your da told me Lillia was betrothed to a Sinclair. Are you sure they haven’t come to war with us? Mayhap you should sound the alarm, call the men-at-arms.”

Heath shrugged his shoulder. “There’s no need for alarm, Mother. I will see to Hunter and the Sinclairs.” He signaled to John and Lagan to call all their men to the courtyard. If there was going to be war or even the slightest threat, he’d damned well be ready to face it.

“We should turn them away or at least have a show of force.”

“Mother, there is no reason to. I’ve given permission for them to enter. I hope to remedy these matters, this day, once and for all with propriety not arms.” He turned to Aylmer. “Laird Hunter, we should discuss the matter of Lillia in private.”

“Aye, the Sinclairs will await me. James Douglas told me that Lillia found her way to you in Dumfries. He said I would likely find her here on Fraser land. Is this true?”

Heath nodded and led Aylmer into the hall. “It is. She and I …” He didn’t know why he hesitated. It was best to bespeak his news and hastily. “We married months ago, before I returned to visit my da.”

Aylmer’s face brightened. His bulbous nose appeared to redden. “I never believed ye to be deceitful, lad. You dare wed my daughter without my leave?”

Heath had to stand his ground. He set his hands on his hips and nodded firmly. “Aye I did. You were going to wed her to a Sinclair. She didn’t want to belong to that clan. You gave her no choice, did you not?”

“Lillia has no choice but to follow my orders. I’m her father.”

“But you’re not her father. She despaired that you didn’t tell her the truth of her birth. You’ve put her in danger. If anyone is affronted, it is Lillia, and I, her husband.”

Aylmer threw up his hands. “Christ Almighty Above, this is nonsense. Where is your da? I will speak with him. You are not laird and have no right to make decisions that have nothing to do with you. We shall fix this. Aye, the remedy is easy enough. I could kill you.”

“Laird Hunter, it is because of your friendship with my da that I allowed you entry beyond our gate. Do not test my patience or threaten me. You will settle this matter with me for it has everything to do with Lillia and me. My da is confined to his bedchamber.”

“What’s wrong with him?” He sounded concerned.

“My da’s eyesight is poor. He can barely see now, and he doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone and stays within his chamber. I am tending to his laird duties whilst he rests and my brother recuperates.”

Aylmer’s brows rose. “Roderick returned?”

“He has, but he was injured in mind and body. He’ll need time to mend.”

“I will see your father. We will speak of this matter in private and consider the ramifications. Were you not supposed to join the clergy? Oh, Lord, ye be unfaithful to God.”

Heath would’ve laughed at such a remark, but now was not the time to find his words amusing. He decided his father might prove an ally in the matter of his marriage for he’d praised him for marrying Lillia, and all but celebrated their union. “Very well, I will grant you permission to visit my da, but Lagan will accompany you. You’re not to upset him.”

“He’s my good comrade. Of course I won’t upset him. I only want to ensure myself that he fares well.” Aylmer walked to the steps, but turned. “You wed my lass and undermined her betrothed. I leave it to you to explain that to Angus Sinclair.”

Heath didn’t move until Aylmer disappeared beyond the stairs. Angus Sinclair. Where had he heard that name before? He couldn’t recall, but the name was familiar.

Outside a ruckus ensued and men’s voices rose. Heath needed to settle the matter of Sinclair’s claim of Lillia at the soonest. He stepped out of the keep and found a good many men standing about.

“Is the Sinclair laird here?”

All ceased talking and yelling at his question. A man moved forward.

“Aye, I’m Henry Sinclair, Laird of the Sinclair Clan.”

Heath approached. “I bid you and your clan welcome. I’m Heath Fraser, Laird.” Saying such put a sour taste in his mouth, but given the disposition of his father and brother, he had to step in and fill the role.

“Hunter says the Sinclair’s bride resides here. We’ve come to retrieve her.”

“Aye, she’s here, but she’s no longer the Sinclair bride.”

Henry tilted his head in confusion. “What say ye? Are you going to war with us over a measly woman?”

Heath scowled fiercely to show his affront. “Aye, I will go to war over a measly woman, a lady who is now my own wife. Dare you insult her?”

Mutters and gasps rose and reverberated through the crowd.

Sinclair stepped forward, asserting his affront. “We were promised the Hunter lass.”

“She never agreed to marry your man and to protect her from the king’s enemies and others,” he said, sending a harsh glare to those watching him with bewildered frowns, “I have kept her safe.”

“Where is Aylmer Hunter? I will speak with him.”

“He is unable to join us. Where is the man she was to wed?” Heath thought perhaps he could compensate the man for his inconvenience. The crowd parted and a large burly man marched forward.

Heath’s eyes widened as he viewed the man. He wanted to laugh, not at the man or because he found the man lacking, which he was, but the entire situation turned comical.

“Angus Sinclair.”

“Och, ‘tis you.”

“Aye.” Heath grinned, but hoped he could withstand being close the man for as long as the conversation warranted.

“You’re the man who saved me from the boar. I never forget a face, and I was grateful for your aid that day.”

“Aye.” Heath pulled him aside, even though he was wont to stand a great length from the stench of the man’s odor. The dampness of the snow falling earnestly now and covering the man’s garments only made it worse. It took a bit of will not to gag. Someone really needs to suggest the man bathe, and mayhap burn his garments and get him a fresh tunic. But hell, he wasn’t going to be the one to advise it.

“Christ Almighty, it cannot be.”

“I see you are … well. We need to discuss the matter of your bride.”

“We do?” Angus turned to the crowd. “My fellow Sinclairs, this is he, the man who saved me the day ye left me on that field. Remember I told ye how he killed the boar. The animal was a one of the best meals we’d had in a good fortnight. Aye, I owe him for my life, a debt that I shall one day repay.”

Henry approached. “What is the matter with his bride?”

“She’s mine.” Heath needn’t say anything more to clarify what he meant.

Angus bellowed. “So ye stole my bride? I shan’t hold it against you, Fraser. Consider it repayment.”

Heath, as much as he didn’t want to be near the smelly man, put his hand on his shoulder. “From this day forward, the Sinclairs will be considered an ally to all Frasers.”

All the men standing about the courtyard, the Frasers, the Hunters, the Sinclairs, all cheered.

“Let us on to the drink,” Heath said. He needed a good chug of something powerful enough to put this debacle behind him.

Angus hooted. “Och ye likely saved my arse twice now, Fraser.”

Heath raised his bemused eyes and didn’t hide his confusion. “How is that?”

“Aye, for I wasn’t wont to wed the lass. She be a mite strong-willed to my liking. I want a soft willing woman, not one who must be cajoled into accepting me. Och, but a woman who would gladly warm my bed.”

Heath chuckled to himself and nodded. The chances of Angus Sinclair finding such a woman, any woman was nil. “Let us on to the celebration.” He motioned the men into the hall and the clansmen barreled through and began their assent on the keep.

Heath signaled to his mother. She hastened to him and turned to peer at the lewd men, all clamoring for ale. “Keep the drink flowing. And ensure that man,” he said, pointing at Angus, “is entertained.”

His mother turned and gasped. “Oh my, I certainly hope you don’t mean entertained by a woman. There’s none in our clan who would think of getting near him.”

“I must go and find Lillia. She’s upset with me and I need to ensure she’s well. Can you keep them drinking and fed until my return?”

“Aye, I will do what I must,” she said and turned with a big smile on her face.

He was about to exit the keep when the gate’s sentry approached.

“Laird Fraser,” the lad said, and inclined his head.

For a moment, he was unsure who the lad was referring to, for he turned and peered behind him, thinking his father had come down to the great hall. He realized the sentry was speaking to him and shook his head. This was going to take some getting used to.

“Aye, Thomas? What goes?”

“’Tis the MacKintoshs, they’re at the gate asking for entrance.”

This day was going to hell. What’s more all he wanted to do was find Lillia, but distraction after distraction kept him from going to her. Heath nodded. “I’ll come.” Before he left, he motioned to his mother and when she reached him, he pulled her aside. “Keep all inside the hall. I must go and see what the MacKintoshs want.”

“Have they come to declare war on us?” Her voice pitched.

Heath sighed. “I ken not. Let us hope they decided to accept the truce.” He left her standing looking after him. He was in no rush to greet his enemy. As he ambled toward the gate, he glanced up and saw his brother watching him from the upper solar window casement. His brother should be attending to this matter, not he. Yet it was up to him to keep his clan safe and settle the riff between the two clans, a task he was unsure he’d be able to accomplish.

The Hunter clan had a right to declare war since he’d wed Lillia without his permission. Sinclair had a right to declare war since he’d stolen Angus’ bride. And the MacKintoshs, they’d war regardless of the insult or slight. He’d do what was necessary to avert the third possible war of the day.

Where in God’s name was Lillia when he needed her?